
if// 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/surveyofoysterba08unit 



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR 
COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 

O. H. TiTTMANN, Superintendent 



SURVEY OF OYSTER BARS 

CHARLES COUNTY 
MARYLAND 

DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDARIES AND LANDMARKS AND 

REPORT OF WORK OF UNITED STATES COAST 

AND GEODETIC SURVEY IN COOPERATION 

WITH UNITED STATES BUREAU OF 

FISHERIES AND MARYLAND 

SHELL FISH COMMISSION 



By C. C. YATES 

CHIEF OF COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY PARTY 
ASSISTANT. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 



WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1911 



/ / - 3 -ex 7 «r 



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR 
COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 

O. H. T1TTMANN, Superintendent 






SURVEY OF OYSTER BARS 

CHARLES COUNTY 
MARYLAND 

DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDARIES AND LANDMARKS AND 

REPORT OF WORK OF UNITED STATES COAST 

AND GEODETIC SURVEY IN COOPERATION 

WITH UNITED STATES BUREAU OF 

FISHERIES AND MARYLAND 

SHELL FISH COMMISSION 



By C. C. YATES 

CHIEF OF COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY PARTY 
ASSISTANT. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1911 












APR 11 ISM 



^k 



LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 



Department of Commerce and Labor, 

Coast and Geodetic Survey, 

Washington, January 2j, ion. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the officer detailed from 
the Coast and Geodetic Survey to cooperate with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Mary- 
land Shell Fish Commission in surveying the oyster bars of the .State of Maryland, 
together with certain technical results which are necessary for the interpretation and 
use of the plats of the survey made by the Government. 

This work has been done under the provisions of the act of Congress entitled "An 
act to authorize the .Secretary of Commerce and Labor to cooperate, through the Bureau 
of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Bureau of Fisheries, with the shell fish com- 
missioners of the State of Maryland in making surveys of the natural oyster beds, bars, 
and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland," approved May 26, 1906, and of 
the acts of Congress making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government 
for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1907, 1908, 1909, and 1910. 
Respectfully, 

O. H. Tittmann, Superintendent. 
To Hon. Charles Nagel, 

Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 

3 



C ERTIFIC ATION, 



Baltimore, Md., January 25, iqii. 
The following publication is certified to contain correct technical descriptions of 
all boundaries and landmarks established in Charles County by the Maryland Shell 
Fish Commission in cooperation with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

C. C. Yates, 
Chief of Coast and Geodetic Survey Party, 

Assistant, Coast atui Geodetic Survey. 



Baltimore, Md., January 25, iqii. 
Examined and certified to be correct. 

Walter J. Mitchell, 
Caswell Grave, 
Benjamin K. Green, 
Maryland Shell Fish Commission. 
Swepson EarlE, 

Hydrographic Engineer. 

Note. — Certified copies of this publication and of the charts of the natural oyster 
bars of Charles County were filed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of Charles 
County and in the office of the Board of Shell Fish Commissioners on January 27, 191 1. 

S 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Progress map follows 62 

Letter of submittal 3 

Certification 5 

Introduction: 

Publications 9 

Cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 10 

Cooperation of the Bureau of Fisheries 10 

General statement of work of Coast and Geodetic Survey 10 

Report of the work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey: 

Instructions 12 

Organization and equipment 13 

Chronological statement of work 13 

Statistics 14 

General remarks 14 

Charts and maps: 

Charts of natural oyster bars 16 

Leasing charts 17 

Projections 18 

Progress maps 18 

Boundaries of the county waters: 

Waters within territorial limits of county 19 

Waters contiguous to county 20 

Landmarks (U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation stations): 

Explanation 21 

Method of describing triangulation stations 24 

Descriptions of triangulation stations in county and adjacent waters — 
Chart No. 26 (Wicomico River) — 

Barber 24 

Upper 24 

Key 24 

Stoddard 25 

Cohouck 25 

Hayden 26 

Perry 26 

Burr 26 

Fact 27 

Bowman 27 

Eedling 28 

Farr 28 

Gust 28 

Lyon 29 

Sacred Heart Church Spire (Bushwood) 29 

Hedney 29 

Charles 30 

Weiss 30 

Blakistone 30 

Hard , 31 

Rock Point Catholic Church Cross 31 

Prec 1 31 

7 



8 Contents. 

Landmarks (U. 5. Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation stations) — Continued. 
Descriptions of triangulation stations in county and adjacent waters — Continued. 

Churl No. 26 (Wicomico Rivcrl— Continued. Page. 

Comer 32 

St. Margaret 2 32 

Cobb Point Bar Light 

River Springs Catholic Chapel Cross 33 

Sound 33 

Bailey 33 

St. Catherine 34 

Waterloo 34 

Subchart on Chart No. 26 (Patuxent River) a — 

Prince 35 

Leitch 35 

Fodder 

Buena ■. . . . 36 

Teague 36 

Catholic Church Cross (Benedict) 37 

City 37 

Hallowing 38 

Indian 38 

Dwarf J9 

Sothoron 39 

Buzz 40 

Boundaries of oyster bars: 

Explanation 41 

Method of describing boundaries 42 

Surveying methods for relocation of boundaries 43 

Boundaries of natural oyster bars in county & 46 

Chart No. 26 (Wicomico River) — 

Stoddard 46 

Wicomico Lumps 47 

Mills West 47 

Joes Lumps 48 

Windmill 48 

Fenwick 49 

Wicomico Middleground 49 

Charleston Creek 50 

Lancaster 50 

Rock Point 51 

Shipping Point 52 

Cobb Point 52 

Subchart on Chart No. 26 (Patuxent River) a — 

Teague 53 

Elbow 53 

Carpenters Yard 54 

Appendixes: 

Appendix A. — Laws relating to the cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and 

Bureau of Fisheries with the Maryland Shell Fish Commission 55 

Appendix B. — "The Haman Oyster Culture Law" (extract from Second Report of Shell 

Fish Commission) 59 

Appendix C. — Summary of the particular surveying operations which constitute an "oyster 

survey" as now being carried on in Man-land 60 

Appendix D. — Statistics of results of the combined operations of the Government and State . . 62 

a See also subchart on Chart No. ig. 

6 See separate publications for boundaries of natural bars in adjacent counties. 



SURVEY OF OYSTER BARS, CHARLES COUNTY, MD. 



INTRODUCTION. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

The preparation of publications relating to the survey of the oyster bars of Mary- 
land has been divided between the Government and the State in accordance with the 
laws " authorizing the work and the natural division of the surveying operations b of 
the cooperating forces. 

The publications prepared and issued by the Government under the direction of 
the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey consist of a series of charts and 
a technical report for each county surveyed. c The charts show all legal boundaries of 
oyster bars within the adopted boundaries of the waters opened up for leasing with each 
county, and the location of all landmarks (Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation 
stations) used as a foundation for the delineation of these various boundaries. The 
technical report gives technical and legal descriptions of all oyster bar and other bound- 
aries, and descriptions of all landmarks shown on the charts, and includes the report 
of the representative of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in charge of the work of that 
service in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Maryland Shell Fish Com- 
mission. These charts and technical reports are prepared and certified for file with the 
courts and the Commission, as required by the laws of the State, and contain all infor- 
mation necessary to make a permanent record of the work of the Commission and the 
Government for all future requirements of the courts, or for any resurveys that may 
become necessary. d 

The publications prepared and issued by the Stale under the direction of the Shell 
Fish Commission consist of annual reports of all the operations of the Commission 

a See Appendix A for laws relating to the cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and Bureau 
of Fisheries with the Maryland Shell Fish Commission. 

b See Appendix C for a summary of the particular surveying operations which constitute an "oyster 
survey" as now being carried on in Maryland. 

<-' These charts and technical reports can be obtained by application to the Superintendent of the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey at Washington. D. C. The publications now ready for issue are those for 
Anne- Arundel. Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester, Calvert, and Charles counties. 

d The technical records and charts for each county are published separately on account of the 
requirements of the oyster-culture laws of the State and the practical considerations which make it 
desirable to have each county "opened up" for oyster culture as soon as practicable after the comple- 
tion of its survey. For these reasons and the fact that these reports are each arranged for distribution 
and use in one county only without reference to other published records, much of the text of this publi- 
cation is of necessity identical with similar previous publications for other counties. 

e These reports can be obtained by application to the Shell Fish Commission, Marine Bank Building, 
Baltimore. Md. They are issued annually in October, and the first and second reports are now available 
for distribution. 

9 



io Survey of Oyster Bars, Clunks County, Md. 

performed under the provisions of the laws of Maryland," including results of biological 
and economic oyster investigations, methods and results of the hydrographic survey of 
the boundaries of oyster bars and crab bottoms, the administrative report and financial 
statement of the Commission, information relating to oyster culture, methods of sur 
veying and leasing of oyster lots, and much other important matter of legal and scientific 
value. 

These two sets of publications are planned and arranged to supplement each other 
without unnecessary duplication, and when combined they form a complete report of 
operations, methods, and results of the work of both the Government and State. 6 

COOPERATION OF THE COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. 

The work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, as the name of the service indicates, 
includes a survey of the coasts of the United States made on a geodetic basis. This 
has involved the gradual construction of a great framework of interstate triangulation 
for use as a foundation for detail hydrographic and topographic surveys, from which 
there has been compiled and published a complete set of charts of the coasts of the 
United States, including all waters of Maryland where oysters grow. This existing 
triangulation, hydrography, and topography is essential as a foundation for a correct 
and practical survey of natural oyster bars; and it being one of the fundamental func- 
tions of the Coast and Geodetic Survey to furnish such data, the cooperation of the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Maryland Shell Fish 
Commission is a practical and natural development of Government work leading to the 
conservation and increase of the supply of food. 

COOPERATION OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 

The Bureau of Fisheries has cooperated with the Coast and Geodetic Survey and 
the Maryland Shell Fish Commission principally as an adviser in matters relating to the 
biological and economic survey of oyster bars and the methods to be employed for that 
purpose. A steam launch, rowing boat, and certain apparatus have also been furnished. 

The primary function of the Bureau of Fisheries is to increase the productiveness 
of marine and fresh waters by such measures as may be best suited to the purpose, and 
the services rendered in connection with the survey of the oyster bars of Maryland are 
strictly in line with the fundamental law under which it acts. In certain States other 
than Maryland similar work has been conducted by the Bureau acting independently, 
the same ends being attained at greater expense to the Government. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF WORK OF COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY.'' 

The results obtained from the work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in coopers 
tion with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Maryland Shell Fish Commission need very 



a See Appendix B for an extract from the "Second Report of the Maryland Shell Pish Commission," 
giving a concise summary of the " Haman Oyster Culture Law. " 

6 See Appendix D of this publication for "Statistics of results of combined operations of tin- 
Government and State." 

c Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, has detailed for this service Or. H. F. Moore, 
Assistant, Bureau of Fisheries. 

d For a detail statement of the very large amount of excellent oyster surve) u.irk of the Maryland 
Shell Fish Commission sec the "Annual Reports of the Maryland Shell Fish Commission." 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. n 

little other summary than is indicated by the published "Charts of Natural Oyster 
Bars" and the index of hydrographic projections and triangulation stations shown on 
the county progress maps attached to each report. 

The triangulation has been carried on in accordance with the standard methods 
of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, making this work and that of the "Descriptions of 
Triangulation Stations" of permanent value, not only to the State of Maryland in the 
survey of her oyster bars, but also to the Government for any future work it may do in 
the regions covered by the oyster-survey operations. 

The hydrographic projections and published charts are prepared with all the accu- 
racy permitted by their large scale, especially as to the boundaries of the various shell-fish 
bottoms in relation to landmarks, but this accuracy of location on the charts is further 
added to and permanently fixed by published technical descriptions which should 
minimize the probability of any future dispute as to either landmarks or boundaries. 

Staged another way, and quoting from the report of the "Survey of Oyster Bars 
of Anne Arundel County": 

The geographic positions of the permanent landmarks and signals have been determined with the 
usual precision of a trigonometric survey, and their locations at all points necessary to provide ample 
foundation for the surveying and charting operations permitted great accuracy of definition and loca- 
tion for the natural oyster bar and other boundaries established. At the same time, the very important 
element of permanency of the positions of boundaries has been secured, as the relocation of geodetic 
positions can always be accomplished by a competent surveyor, even though the original landmarks 
and monuments have been washed away, as has been the fate of hundreds of such points established 
by the Coast and Geodetic Survey on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay during the last 65 years. 



REPORT OF THE WORK OF THE COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY IN 

CHARLEvS COUNTY. 

INSTRUCTIONS. 

The following letters, together with the laws" of the United States relating 
to the subject, constitute the "instructions" received by the chief of the Coast and 
Geodetic Survey party engaged on work in connection with the Maryland Shell Fish 
Commission. They are short and definite, but furnish ample authority and leeway for 
all legitimate development of the cooperation of the Government and the State in the 
survey of oyster bars. The "free hand" permitted by these orders, together with the 
aid and many valuable suggestions received from the officers of the survey at Wash- 
ington, have proved very beneficial to the work and are greatly appreciated. 

Department of Commerce and Labor, 

Ofpice of the Secretary, 

Washington, June _>, 1906. 
Sir: In reply to your letter of May 28, requesting me to designate officers of the Coast and Geo- 
detic Survey and of the Bureau of Fisheries to cooperate with the State of Maryland in making survey 
of and locating the natural oyster beds, I have the honor to inform you that Mr. C. C. Yates will be 
designated to cooperate on the part of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as soon as Congress makes the 
provisions of the act effective by providing an appropriation for the purpose. 
Respectfully, 

Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. 
His Excellency Hon. Edwin Warfield, 

Governor of Maryland, Annapolis, Mil. 



Department of Commerce and Labor, 

Coast and Geodetic Survey, 

Washington, July j, IQof). 

Sir: Upon the receipt of these instructions you will surrender the command, accounts, etc . of 
the steamer Endeavor to the Hydrographic Inspector. * * * 

As soon as this transfer is completed you will enter upon the duties of Coast Survey representative 
on the Shell Fish Commission of Maryland. 

You will consult the Commissioners, prepare a programme of work, and submit estimates in the 
usual form. 

You are authorized to come to Washington for consultation from time to time as may be necessar) . 

****** * 

Very respectfully, 

O. H. Tjttmann, Superintendent. 
Capt. C. C. Yates, 

U. S. C. and G. S. Steamer Endeavor, Baltimore, Md. 



o For these laws see Appendix A. 



Survey of Oyster Pars, Charles County, Md. 13 

ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT. 

The personnel and occupation of the party of the Coast and Geodetic Survey have 
remained practically unchanged since the beginning of the "oyster survey." Besides 
the chief of party, it consists of the necessary triangulators, computers, draftsmen, 
and temporary employees required to carry on both the surveying operations in the 
field and the preparation for publication of oyster charts and technical records in the 
office at Washington. 

The equipment for the work of the party has been ample and satisfactorv. The 
large living and office quarters furnished the Government on the Maryland Shell Fish 
Commission house boat Oyster have been very convenient for the work, besides facili- 
tating efficient cooperation with the surveying and oyster investigation parties of the 
State. In addition to the accommodations on the Oyster, the Coast and Geodetic 
Survey party has had the constant use of the large steam launch Inspector and several 
other^boats furnished by its own service, and the occasional use of the Bureau of Fish- 
eries launch Canvasback " and the steamer Governor Mcl.ane b of the State fishery force. 

The greater part of the equipment of instruments for the operations of both the 
Government and State has been furnished by the Coast and Geodetic Survey and 
consists of all necessary theodolites, levels, sextants, drafting instruments, hydrometers, 
etc., required for all field and office work. 

CRONOLOGICAL STATEMENT OF WORK. 

The field work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in Charles County dates from 
August 18, 1908, when the house boat Oyster was moved from St. Leonards Creek to an 
anchorage in Battle Creek which is located about 5 miles to the south of that small 
portion of Charles County bordering on the Patuxent River. The headquarters of the 
surveying operations remained at this harbor until the completion of that part of the 
field work which naturally included all of the Patuxent River waters of Calvert and 
St. Marys counties as well as those of Charles County, although the results are published 
separately. 

On September 3, 1908, the house boat finally left the Patuxent River for a new 
anchorage in one of the tributaries of Potomac River in St. Marys County, and the 
field work in Charles County was dropped from that date for a period of nearly two 
months. 

On October 28, 1908, the house boat Oyster was towed by the Governor McLane 
to an anchorage in the lower part of Wicomico River off Rock Point in Charles County. 
From this anchorage as a headquarters the surveying operations for the Wicomico waters 
of both Charles and St. Marys counties were carried on until practically completed 
on November 25, 1909, when the house boat was towed to Bretons Bay off Leonardtown 
in St. Marys County. 

On December 2, 1909, it was found necessary to obtain additional triangulation 
information for the publication of the technical report for Calvert County, which inci- 

a By courtesy of Dr. H. F. Moore, United States Bureau of Fisheries. 

b By courtesy of Capt. James A. Turner, commanding. 

c The field work of Charles, Calvert, and St. Marys counties was so intermixed in the Patuxent 
River that the chronological statement of work for any one of these counties necessarily includes a 
considerable part of the work of the other counties. 



14 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, MJ. 

dentallv involved new work required for the report for Charles County, and field work was 
carried on for that purpose from that date to December 8, 1909. 

Again from July 20 to August it, 1910, while the house boat Oyster was anchored 
in the mouth of the Patuxent River for the purpose of carrying on the oyster survey 
operations in the bay shore waters of Dorchester County, a number of days when work 
could not be done in the open bay were employed in checking up deficiencies in the 
description of stations required for the forthcoming publications of both Charles and 
St. Marys counties. 

The large amount of office work connected with the "oyster survey" of Charles 
County, including computations and drafting necessary for the preparation for publica- 
tion of the oyster charts and the technical records, was continued intermit tingly with 
the office work of other counties from the beginning of the field work in Charles County 
to the time of filing of the certified oyster charts and technical reports in the archives of 
the Commission and with the clerk of the circuit court of Charles County on January 
27, 1911. 

STATISTICS. ° 

Landmarks and triangulation signals erected ? 37 

Monuments planted to mark triangulation stations , . . . . 37 

Triangulation stations occupied for observations of horizontal angles 35 

Old triangulation stations recovered 3 

New triangulation stations established 39 

Total old and new triangulation stations marked and described 42 

Linear miles of shore line covered by triangulation (approximate) 32 

Square miles covered by triangulation (approximate) 20 

Hydrographic projections prepared and completed as records of oyster boundaries 3 

Triangles computed 80 

Geographic positions computed 40 

Corners of oyster boundaries established by computation 78 

Back azimuths and distances computed from corners of boundaries to triangulation stations 234 

Descriptions of triangulation stations prepared for publication 42 

Descriptions of oyster boundaries prepared for publication 15 

"Charts of Natural Oyster Bars" prepared for publication 1 

Progress map prepared for publication 1 

GENERAL REMARKS. 

Before ending this report the representative of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
wishes to renew his statement of appreciation of the courteous assistance received from 
various Government and State officials and others interested in the ovstcr industry of 
Maryland, especially to the following: 

To his colleague from the Department of Commerce and Labor, Dr. H. F. Moore, 
of the Bureau of Fisheries, whose well-known scientific knowledge of all matters relating 
to oysters has been of great value to the work. 

a These statistics only include field and office work directly performed by the party of the Coast 
and Geodetic Survey in connection with the oyster survey of Charles County, and do not include tin- 
many thousands of soundings and examinations of the character of the bottom made by the engineers 
of the Commission, which are of considerable value to the Coast and Geodetic Survey as hydrographic 
records for future use in connection with the preparation of new editions of charts of the waters of Mars- 
land. See Appendix Dof this publication for " Statistics of results of combined operations of the Govern- 
ment and the State." 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 15 

To Mr. Walter J. Mitchell, chairman of the Maryland Shell Fish Commission, who, 
by his administrative ability in carrying out the complicated requirements of the oyster 
laws and by his unfailing tact, has made the cooperation of the various services engaged 
on the work both agreeable and effective. 

To Dr. Caswell Grave, secretary of the Commission, who, as editor of the Com- 
mission's annual report and Commissioner in charge of the biological and economic 
oyster investigations, has been brought into constant contact with the Government 
work and aided its operations in every way. 

To Mr. Benjamin K. Green, treasurer of the Commission, who has looked after the 
equipment and commissary of the house boat in such a way as to add greatly to the 
comfort and convenience of the party of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

To Mr. Swepson Earle, hydrographic engineer to the Commission, whose knowledge 
of the work from former service in the Coast and Geodetic Survey has greatly facilitated 
his practical use of the technical data furnished by the Government. 

To Mr. Thomas H. Robinson, counsel to the Commission, for courteously furnishing 
valuable information relating to county boundaries. 

And to the many others connected with the Commission or who as residents in the 
locality where the work was being carried on have greatly assisted by furnishing impor- 
tant information or willing services. 



CHARTS AND MAI'S 

CHARTS OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS. 

The charts" of the natural oyster bars of Charles County, published by the Coast 
and Geodetic Survey from results of surveys of the Government in cooperation with 
the Maryland Shell Fish Commission, are grouped on one sheet covering a portion of 
the waters of the upper Patuxent River and all of the waters of the Wicomico River, 
including all oyster-producing bottoms in Charles County. They are published on a 
scale of 1 part in 20.000 (approximately 3^5 inches to a statute mile) and are constructed 
on polyconic projections and based on the United States standard datum of the Coast 
and Geodetic Survey. 

These charts show all oyster bars and other boundaries established by the Com- 
mission, and are certified for the purpose of filing in the office of the clerk of the Circuit 
Court of Charles County and in the office of the Commission at Annapolis, as required 
by the oyster laws of Maryland. 

In addition to the oyster bar and other boundaries, the charts show the location 
and name of all landmarks (U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation stations) 
used in making the survey, together with the hydrography and topography '' accessary 
to make the technical definitions and delineations of boundaries readily understandable 
both by the people engaged in the oyster industry and the general public who may 
become interested through leasing of barren bottoms for oyster culture. 

The names of the oyster bars are those used locally, as nearly as could be ascer- 
tained by the hydrographic engineer of the Commission. When there was no local 
name in common use, a name was selected from one of the prominent features of the 
vicinity. By the use of recognized names or those that would naturally suggest certain 
sections of water, it is believed that much confusion will be avoided in the location on 
the charts of the oyster bars, especially by those not familiar with the use of maps. 

The corners of the oyster bars are numbered from 1 to the total number of corners 
in each area under consideration. Where boundaries adjoin, making one point a corner 
of two or more oyster bars, these points have two or more numbers, each number corre- 
sponding to the bar in which the figure is located. The numbers of the corners corre- 
spond with the technical and legal descriptions of this publication under the heading 
"Boundaries of natural oyster bars." 

The landmarks and oyster bars have been grouped in the "Contents" of this publi- 
cation in accordance with the charts upon which they are shown. To find a particular 



" These charts can be obtained by application to the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic 
Survey, at Washington, D. C. 

i> Much of the detail of the inshore topography was obtained from the excellent map of Charles 
County, prepared and published by the Maryland Geological Survey under the direction of 1 »r William 
Bullock Clark from surveys of the Maryland Geological Survey in cooperation with the t S Geologic al 
Survey. 

16 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles Cotmty, Md. i 7 

oyster bar or landmark which is only known by name, consult the "Contents" and 
the desired chart and general location will be indicated. To find the name of a bar or 
landmark which is only known by location, consult the progress map at the end of this 
publication for the number of the chart on which it is to be found, and then examine 
the known locality on the chart for the name of the bar or landmark in question. 

The contours on the charts showing the depth of water at mean low tide have been 
taken from the hydrographic sheets of former work of the Coast and Geodetic -Survey. 
Four curves were selected as being the most convenient for taking off from the original 
hydrographic sheets and the ones of greatest value to those interested in shell fish indus- 
tries. The i-fathom contour (6 feet) and the 5-fathom curve (30 feet) correspond 
in a general way to the inner and outer limits of all the oyster bars surveyed. The 
3-fathom contour (18 feeti furnishes the curve of about the average depth of water on 
the oyster bars and the 10-fathom contour (60 feet) serves in a general way to indicate 
the outer limits of probable oyster culture. 

The boundaries of the waters within the "territorial limits of the county" and the 
boundaries of the "waters contiguous to the county" opened up for the leasing with 
Charles County are plainly indicated on the charts. A full technical description of 
these boundaries is given in this publication under the heading "Boundaries of county 
waters." 

The areas in acres of the oyster bars were determined under the direction of the 
hydrographic engineer of the Commission by two independent planitneter measurements 
of the areas as delineated on the smooth projections of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. 
These areas are given in small figures in parentheses on the face of the chart within the 
boundaries of the different shell iisli bottoms. 

The symbols used on the charts for the different kinds of boundaries, triangulation 
stations, contours of depth of water, etc., require no other explanation than that given, 
in the legend and other notes on the face of the charts. 

LEASING ClIAKTs. 

The leasing charts of Charles County, like those for Anne Arundel, Somerset, 
Wicomico, Worcester, and Calvert counties, have been prepared under the direction of the 
hydrographic engineer of the Commission. These charts are constructed on polyconic 
projections and are based on the United States standard datum of the Coast and Geodetic 
Survey. They are made on the scales of 1 part in 5,000 or 1 part in 10,000, as the needs 
of oyster culture may require. Anne Arundel County required 13 leasing charts; Somerset 
County, 12 charts; Wicomico County, 2 charts; Worcester County, 3 charts; Calvert 
County, 5 charts; and Charles County, 2 charts, to cover their oyster bottoms. 

These charts show all the oyster bars, crab bottoms, and clam beds and other 
boundaries established by the Commission, and also all boundaries of oyster lots leased 
for the purpose of oyster culture, thus making them comprehensive and valuable records 
of the results of the operations of the oyster-culture laws. 

The lots leased under the provision of the "old 5-acre law" are frequently of irreg- 
ular shape, but the lots leased under the provision of the new oyster laws must be of 
rectangular shape by the terms of that act. For this latter purpose the leasing charts 



iS Survey of Oyster Bars, ( 'harles County, Md. 

have been divided by parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude into small rectan- 
gles of i acre or 5 acres, as may be best suited to the area under consideration, and 
prospective leaseholders by the rules of the Commission are compelled to selecl whole 
rectangles as far as possible. 

For reasons of the present changeable nature of the number of lots leased and the 
large number of charts required, the leasing charts are not likely to be published for 
some years, but they can be seen at any time on file at the offices of the Commission, 
in the Marine Bank Building at Baltimore. 

PROJECTN iNS. 

The polyconic projections" covering Charles County waters are ;, in number ami 
on the scale of 1 part in 10,000. They were constructed by draftsmen of the Coast and 
Geodetic Survey, but the sextant positions which determine the location of the legal 
boundaries of the oyster bars as delineated by the Shell Fish Commission were plotted 
by the draftsman of the Commission. 

A copy of each of these projections, with all the plotted positions of triangulation 
stations, shore line, sextant positions, and boundaries of oyster bars, was made under 
the direction of the hydrographic engineer of the Commission by pricking through with 
a sharp needle the intersections of the projection lines and all oilier points as plotted 
on the original sheets. 

These projections (in duplicate) are the original records of all oyster bar and other 
boundaries established by the Commission, one set being filed in the archives of the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey, at Washington, and the other set in the archives of the Shell 
Fish Commission. 

PROGRESS MAPS. 

The progress map to be found at the end of this publication is on a scale of 1 part 
in 100,000, and shows in outline the work accomplished by the United Slates Coast and 
Geodetic Survey in Charles County and contiguous waters. It gives the scheme of all the 
charts and smooth projections constructed in connection with the survey, the location 
and names of all triangulation stations used as a basis for the surveying work, and the 
"boundaries of county waters" established by the Commission for the purpose of carry- 
ing out the laws of Maryland relating to oyster culture. 

Besides indicating the amount of work done by the Coast and Geodetic Survej 
in connection with the work of the .Shell Fish Commission, this progress map will be of 
special value for index purposes to engineers and others searching for the particular 
chart or projection covering the locality of the ovster bars or landmarks that may be 
under consideration. 

The progress maps b accompanying the first and second annual reports of the Mary- 
land Shell Fish Commission were prepared under the direction of the hydrographic 
engineer of the Commission. They are on the scale of 1 part in 400,000, and show tin- 
outline of the tide-water counties of Maryland, with shaded areas to indicate the waters 
already covered by the operations of the oyster survey. 



a For the scheme of these projections see the progress map at the end o( this publication. 

b These maps and reports can be obtained by application to Maryland Shell Fish Commission 

Marine Bank Building, Baltimore, Md. 



BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY WATERS." 

WATERS WITHIN TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF COUNTY. 

The laws of Maryland relating to oyster culture provide that "no person shall be 
permitted, by lease, assignment, or in any other manner, to acquire a greater amount 
of land than ten acres situated within the territorial limits of any of the counties, or 
one hundred acres in any other place." 

The boundary line 6 between the waters "within the territorial limits" of Charles 
County and the waters in "any other place," as established by the Shell Fish Com- 
mission for the purpose of carrying out the oyster laws, and delineated on the "oyster" 
charts and the smooth projections of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, is technically 
described and defined as follows: 

Patuxent River waters of Charles County. — Following the boundary line between Charles County 
and Prince Georges County along the middle of Swanson Creek as laid down on "Chart No. 26, Natural 
Oyster Bars, Maryland. " to a point defined by the intersection of this boundary line with the boundary 
line of Calvert County in Patuxent River; thence along the boundary line between Calvert and Charles 
counties in Patuxent River as laid down on "Chart No. 26, Natural Oyster Bars, Maryland. " to a point 
defined by the intersection of this boundary line with the boundary line between Charles and St. Marys 
counties off the entrance to Indian Creek: thence along the boundary line between Charles and St. 
Mar>-s counties in the middle of Indian Creek as laid down on "Chart No. 26, Natural Oyster Bars, 
Maryland." 

Wicomico River waters of Charles ( ouuly. — Following the boundary line between Charles County 
and St. Marys County along the middle of Wicomico River as laid down on "Chart No. 26, Natural 
Oyster Bars, Maryland," from the upper end of Wicomico River, as shown on said chart, to a point at 
the mouth of Wicomico River defined by the intersection of this boundary line with the straight line 
between the center point of Cobb Point Bar Light defined by latitude 38° 14' 33.3" and longitude 76 
49' 36.9" and a point on the northwest end of St. Catherine Island denned by latitude 38 14' 28.9" 
and longitude 76° 48' 10.9"; thence along a straight line dividing the "waters within territorial limits 
of county" and the " waters of Potomac River under joint jurisdiction of Maryland and Virginia as to 
fisheries" to the center point of Cobb Point Bar Light defined by latitude 38 14' 33.3" and longitude 
76° 49' 36.9'''; thence along a line following Cobb Point Bar, as laid down on "Chart No. 26, Natural 
Oyster Bars, Maryland," to a point located on Cobb Point defined by latitude 38 15' 175" and longi- 
tude 76° 50' 33.4''''; thence along the mean low water line of the Maryland shore of Potomac River or a 
line across the mouth of all inlets less than 100 yards in width, as the case may be, and then continuing 
along the Maryland shore of Potomac River, crossing the mouth of Potomac River entrances of Neals 
Sound, around Swan Point, and crossing the mouth of Cuckold Creek and all other creeks, bays, and 
inlets of Potomac River under the sole jurisdiction of Maryland, to the intersection of this line with the 
boundary line between Charles County and Prince Georges County. 

« For a complete historical and legal description of the boundaries of the counties of Maryland, 
the valuable publication entitled "The Counties of Maryland — Their Origin. Boundaries, and Election 
Districts." prepared by Dr. Edward B. Mathews and published by the Maryland Geological Survey under 
the direction of Dr. William Bullock Clark. Superintendent, should be consulted, as the boundaries 
described in this publication have been established and technically defined for the purpose of carrying 
out the oyster laws of the State, and may or may not be correct for other purposes. 

''See "Charts of Natural Oyster Bars," published by the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the 
progress map at the end of this publication. 

'Latitudes and longitudes based on the United States standard datum of the United States Coast 
and Geodetic Survey. 

19 



20 Survey of Oyster Bars, ( hark s County, Md. 

WATERS CONTIGUOUS TO CO! NTY. 

The oyster laws of .Maryland provide thai a true and accurate delineation of all 
natural oyster liars shall be made cm copies of charts of the United States Coast and 
Geodetic Survey, "which said copies shall be filed in the office of the said Commissioners 
in the city of Baltimore," and "in tin- office of the clerks of the circuit courts for the re-: 
tive counties wherein the grounds so designated may lie." 

For the purpose of carrying out the latter part of this section of the law and for 
the purpose of establishing the limits of the oyster-culture area to he opened up for 
leasing with each county surveyed, it is necessary lor the Shell Pish Commission to 
establish a boundary line between the waters contiguous to but not within the terri- 
torial limits of each countv and the wains contiguous to but not within the territorial 
limits of adjacent counties. 

This boundary line has been delineated on the "Charts of Natural < lyster Bars," 
published by the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and is technically described and defined 
as follows: 

Commencing at a point located at the mouth and near the middle of Wicomico River di fini d by the 
intersection of the boundary line between Charles County and St. Marys County as laid down on " Chart 
No. 26, Natural Oyster Bars, Maryland," and the straight line between the center point <>i C'>I>1> Point 
Bar Light defined by latitude ,58° 14' 33.3" and longitude 7O 49' 36.9" and a point on the northwest 
end of St. Catherine Island defined by latitude 3S 14' 28.9" and longitude -<> 48' io.'i": thence 
a straight line dividing the " waters within territorial limits of county " and the " waters of Potomac River 
under joint jurisdiction of Maryland and Virginia as to fisheries" to the center p lint of Cobb Point liar 
Light defined by latitude 38 14' 33.3" and longitude 71V 49' 36 9"; tin no along .. line following Cobb 
Point Bar as laid down on "Chart No. 26, Natural Oyster B;trs. Maryland." to a point located on CmI.Ii 
Point defined by latitude 38 13' 17. 5" and longitude 70 50' 33 4"; thence along the Maryland -bore 
of the Potomac River across the entrances to Neals Sound. Cuckold Creek, and all other sound- bays, 
creeks, or inlets under the sole jurisdiction of Maryland as to fisheries, to the intersection 1 it thi- line 
with the boundary line between Charles County and Prince Georges Count \ 1 



"Latitudes and longitudes based on the United States standard datum of the United Stale- Coast 
and Geodetic Survey. 



LANDMARKS (U. S. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY TRIANGULATION 

STATIONS). 

EXPLANATION. 

The oyster laws of Maryland authorizing the survey to be made by the Shell Fish 
Commission provide for "an accurate report of said survey, setting forth such a descrip- 
tion of landmarks as may be necessary to enable the said board, or their successors, to 
find and ascertain the boundary lines of said natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks, as 
shown by delineation on the maps and charts." The law of the United States author- 
izing the cooperation of the Department of Commerce and Labor in the survey of 
natural oyster bars of Maryland provides for the erection of "such structures as may be 
necessary to mark the points of triangulation, so that the same may be used for such 
future work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as the said Bureau may be hereafter 
required to perform in prosecuting the Government coast survey of the navigable waters 
of the United States located within the Slate of Maryland." 

Under the provisions of the sections of the law-s stated above, the markings and 
descriptions of landmarks must be sufficient for the present and future needs of both 
the Government and the State. With this end in view, considerable work has been 
expended in erecting permanent monuments ai the triangulation stations and in the 
proper description of their location. 

An effort has been made to arrange the descriptions of location and character of 
landmarks in a uniform and logical manner. The descriptions start with the assump- 
tion that the individual seeking a landmark has only an indefinite idea of its location. 
They gradually proceed from description of the general locality of a landmark to the 
descriptions of its immediate surroundings. This is followed by specific details of the 
character of the center and reference marks and a "round" of reference angles and 
distances which in themselves frequently contain enough information to furnish an 
independent and reliable location of the triangulation station. 

METHOD OF DESCRIBING TRIANGULATION STATIONS. 

The separate descriptions of triangulation stations should not be used without reading 
the following explanation of the method of describing tin triangulation stations, as it con- 
tains certain details that arc common to all the landmarks described in this publication 
and which are omitted in the separate descriptions as being needless repetitions: 

Name. — The title at the top of each separate description is the name by which 
the landmark or triangulation station is known and designated in all work and pub- 
lished oyster records or oyster charts of both the Government and State. The selec- 
tion of the name is usually left to the triangulator establishing the station, and it may 
or may not have geographic or other significance in reference to the locality. 



22 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

General locality. -Under this heading is given the general locality of the landmark 
in reference to well-known and prominent natural or artificial features, such as the 
nearest body of water, town, river, steamer wharf, well-defined point of land, church, 
or any other feature that is likely to remain both permanent and prominent. 

This heading also covers a reference to the published chart or map which shows 
the location of the station most clearly. Nearly all the triangulation stations described 
in this publication are plainly indicated by name and a triangulation symbol on the 
published charts of oyster bars of Maryland. In this case they are referred to by serial 
number only, the words "charts of oyster bars of Maryland" being omitted to avoid 
needless repetition. These published oyster charts are on the large scale of i part in 
20,000 (approximately 3^ inches to a statute mile) and show the location of the trian- 
gulation stations so clearly that in many cases the written descriptions will not be 
required to find them. 

Immediate locality. — Under this heading is given the description of tin.' "observed 
station" in reference to its immediate surroundings. This is supposed to include a 
statement of the station's estimated elevation above high water or some other well- 
defined level of the locality, such as a road or house; the character of the ground on 
which it is located, such as marsh land, sand beach, cultivated field, or meadow; esti- 
mated bearings in points of the compass and estimated distances in yards from \not to) 
easily recognized features, such as extreme end of point, edge of bluff, bank of creek, 
line of telephone poles, shore line, barn, house, fence, ditch, trees, or any other definite 
detail, such as being on range with the tangent of an island and a church; and so forth. 

When a standard monument has been established near the station as a "reference 
station," this heading also covers a statement of the true bearing of the monument in 
degrees and minutes and its measured distance in meters, as it is the first object that 
is likely to catch the eye when the immediate vicinity of the desired station is reached 
and might be mistaken for the center mark of the "observed station" unless special 
attention is called to it. 

The distinction between the "observed station" and "reference station" should 
be carefully noted by anyone making use of the description of stations for any future 
surveying operations. 

The "observed station" is located at the particular triangulation point covered by 
the description of stations, and is the one whose geographic position is first computed, as 
it is the point which was "occupied" and "observed on" for horizontal angles. How- 
ever, in spite of the primary importance of the location of the "observed station," 
it will be noted from the description of stations that frequently it is not marked as well 
as the "reference station," and in many instances has only a pine stub to indicate its 
position. This is the case for the reason that the necessity of intervisibility of land- 
marks usually made it compulsory to locate "observed stations" on edges of banks and 
ends of points of land, which in the tide-water section of Maryland generally means they 
will be washed away in a short period of years. The past experience of the Coast and 
Geodetic Survey in this region has shown the great need of "reference stations," if the 
frequent reestablishment of a new framework of triangulation is to be avoided. 

The chief reason and need for the establishment of the "reference station," or 
secondary station, as it might be well named, is explained in the preceding paragraph, 
but in several instances other reasons, such as the location of the "observed station" 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 23 

on an unstable sand dune, in a cultivated field, in front of a residence, or other places 
objectionable to the landowner, have led to establishment of "reference stations." 
The location of the "reference station" in relation to the "observed station" is fixed 
for plotting on charts or for computation of its geographic position by checked measure- 
ments of its distances and azimuth from the "observed station." 

Marks. — Under this heading is given a description of the character of the permanent 
monuments or other marks of the location of the "observed station," and of the "refer- 
ence station" where one has been established. 

All the marks designated in the descriptions' as "the center point of triangle on 
standard cement monument " are exactly alike. These monuments are made of cement, 
sand, and gravel, and are 2 feet long and 8 inches square at top and bottom. Their tops 
are all marked with the same brass mold and show a center hole surrounded by a triangle, 
with the letters "M. S. F. C." arranged around the vertex and the letters "U. S*. C. S." 
underneath the base of the triangle. The center hole is always in the center of the top 
of the monument by construction, and if this is found to have been broken off without 
disturbing the bottom the center of its square section can be used as the location of the 
station. 

All the "standard cement monuments," whether used for marking the "observed 
station" or "reference station," have been planted upright in exactly the same manner, 
with their tops projecting 3 or 4 inches above the surface of the ground, unless otherwise 
stated. 

Therefore, as the above facts in reference to the "standard cement monuments" 
are a constant element in all cases, the repetition of these facts in the description of 
stations is made needless by this one statement. 

References. — Under this heading are given the "rounds" of directions and distances 
to all objects that might be useful in locating the stations when the surface marks can 
not be found. It is also contemplated that for general purposes of topography, hydrog- 
raphy, or location of boundaries of oyster bars these references will be sufficient in many 
cases to relocate the position of an "observed station" or "reference station" when 
both of them have been destroyed. 

The first reference object given in the descriptions is always a triangulation station 
visible from the station being described, this, if possible, being a light-house, church 
spire, or other permanent and prominent point. Its direction is taken as being o° 00' 00", 
and the directions of all other objects are measured from it as an initial point, the angles 
being taken in a clockwise direction (left to right). 

The true bearing 6 of the initial object is always given in parentheses alongside its 
name. This furnishes means for the calculation of the bearings of any of the other 
reference objects for the purposes of locating a station by horizontal angles or for the 
relocation of corner buoys of oyster-bar boundaries by the method of compass directions 
described n this publication under the heading of "Boundaries of oyster bars." 

a Geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude, distance, and azimuth) relating to any of the "ob- 
served stations " or of the ' ' reference stations ' ' described in this publication can be obtained by applica- 
tion to the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, at Washington, D. C. 

6 The mean magnetic variation for Charles County was 5° 20' west of north in 1910 and increasing 
at the rate of 4' yearly. 



24 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Mil. 

The distances in the last column under "References neii in three different 

units, which vary according to their accuracy. The "miles" are statute miles and may 
be considered only as rough estimates. The "yards" are more accurate, bul must In- 
looked on as results generally obtained by pacing or careful estimating. The "meters," 

however, are accurate to the degree indicated by their decimals and in ever) ease have 
been measured with a steel tape. In the same manner the accuracy of the directions are 
indicated l>v the refinement of angular measure with which they are recorded. 

DESCRIPTIONS Hi- TRIANGUtATION STATIONS. 

BARBER. 

General locality. — Northeastern shore of Wicomico River about ; 4 mile north-northeast of Stoddard 

Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on grass land about j feet abovi high water mart.. , \ .mis 
north of shore, 20 yards west of trees which extend inland along creek, a yards southwest 1>> west of a 
corner of a fence and 15 yards southeast of another comer of a fence. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — ° 1 11 

"Stoddard" (S 9° 46' W) o 00 00 r 1 , miles. 

Left chimney of Stoddard house 3 27 r, miles 

Near peak of roof between two chimneys 45 15 1 ' .. miles 

Chimney on left end of small house 62 54 1 ' .. miles. 

Nail in blaze in top fence rail 136 06 io.<>.j im t< rs 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (5 inches diameter). . 155 29 10.75 meters. 

Nail in blaze in top of chestnut fence post .... 245 24 . . j.43 meters. 

Nail in blaze in persimmon tree (5 inches 

diameter) 259 16 13.94 meters 

Tangent of point 299 13 \ mile. 

Near large chimney of negro quarters 302 07 miles 

UPPER. 

General locality. — Southwestern shore of Wicomico River on Stoddard Point (upper point about 

2% miles north-northwest of Mills Point. (See Chart No. 26. 1 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on a long narrow point about 2 feet above high water marl.. 
5 yards south of side of point, 8 yards northwest of side of point. 38 yards west ol high water mark on 
middle of point and 138 yards west by north of high- water mark on extreme end of point. 
Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — o / // 

"Stoddard" (S 27° 38' E) o 00 00 Simile. 

Right chimney of Stoddard house 9 12 ' 2 mile. 

Left peak of roof of barn ^^ 02 . mile 

Left chimney of old house 49 20 ' .. mile. 

Tangent of next point 141 07 mih 

Right chimney of house on ridge 170 15 . mill s 

Chimney outside small house on opposite shore. . . 213 28 i ] . miles. 

Near corner post of piazza of large house 247 47 i ; , miles 

Chimney top of Key house 296 04 1 1 . miles 

KEY. 

General locality. — Northeastern shore of Wicomico River on a high bluff about 1 mile north of Cohouck 
Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is about 30 fe< I above high water mark in an orchard, about 
24 yards northeast of edge of bank, 49 yards north of edge of hank. [5 yards 1 Sank. 130 

yards south-southwest of negro quarters and 130 yards west of fence which incloses an orchard. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 25 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 

References. — °- / // 

"Stoddard" (S 70 48' W) o 00 00 i' s miles. 

Near corner of near chimney on Stoddard house. o 29 1^ miles. 

Near corner of near chimney of small house. .. . 15 05 1? smiles. 

Peakof roof between two chimneys on house .. . 17 13 2 miles. 

Peak of roof of very large barn 56 52 3 miles. 

Chimney on middle of roof on two-story house . . 62 06 3 miles. 

Nearcornerof near chimney of negro 'squarters. 116 54 130 yards. 

Nailin blaze inapple tree (i2inchesdiameteri . . 135 58 22.15 meters. 

Chimney of Key house 164 37 % mile. 

Nail in blaze in apple tree (14 inches diameter ) . 168 57 13.39 meters. 

Peak of roof of large barn 259 16 '-, mile. 

Nail in blaze inapple tree (12 inches diameter) . 281 25 7.94 meters. 

Peak of roof of house on piles 347 23 1 ! s miles. ■ 

Between two chimneys of large brick house on 

hill 357 45 2 K miles. 

STODDARD. 

General locality. — Western shore of Wicomico River about ' 2 mile south -southeast of Stoddard Point 
and 1 mile west-northwest of Cohouck Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on gravel, grass, and shell point, near a lone gum tree, about 
2 feet above high-water mark. 6 yards south-southwest of side of point, 6 yards north of side of point, 10 
yards west of extreme end of point and 158 yards east-northeast of Stoddard house. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — ° 1 // 

"Upper" (N 26 37' W) o 00 00 ''.mile. 

Outside chimney of small house 23 08 ij 2 miles. 

Peak of front gable of large house on ridge. ... 52 54 i"s miles. 

Chimney on top of Key house 94 47 1', miles. 

Chimney outside of two and a half story house. 153 58 2 'smiles. 

Right chimney of large house 172 38 2 miles. 

Peak of roof of house on Chaptico Wharf 180 19 2 5 s miles. 

Chimney top of house on piles 228 37 J^ mile. 

Near corner of chimney on Stoddard house . .. . 284 44 158 yards. 

Nail in blaze in pear tree (24 inches diameter 1 . . 315 29 4.58 meters. 

Nail in blaze in pear tree (4 inches diameter I . . 349 47 9.41 meters. 

COHOUCK. 

General locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River on Cohouck Point on the northern side of entrance 
to Chaptico Bay. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on Cohouck Point, about 6 feet above high-water mark, 12 
yards east of edge of bank, 35 yards south of edge of bank, 85 yards northeast of extreme point and about 
25 yards north of marsh. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — o / // 

"Key" (N 3 29' Ej o 00 00 yi mile. 

Nearest chimney on negro quarters o 27 1 mile. 

Near peak of roof of barn 26 38 1 mile. 

Chimney outside near end of two and a half story 

house 128 58 yi mile. 

Right chimney of Lyon house near Mills Point. .. . 171 29 iyi miles. 

Chimney on flat roof house near mouth of Bowmans 

Creek 226 56 2 miles. 

Chimney on far end of house 261 43 i^i miles. 

Chimney on house on piles 270 53 1 ' s miles. 

Peak of front gable of house on ridge 352 51 2^4 miles. 



26 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, \IJ. 

HAYDKX 



General locality. — Western shore of the Wicomico River about i 1 * miles nest of Coboudc Point. 
(See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is surrounded by water bushes on marshy land, alwut 1 
foot above high water, 5 yards northwest of shore and 17 yards southeast of line of trees "ii top of bank. 
Cement monument marking reference station is 1 1.50 meters N 54 J 34' W of observed station. 

Marks. — Observed station is nail in stub with top 3 inches above ground. Reference station is 
center point of triangle on standard cement monument 

References . — 



"Fact" (S 41° 35' E) o 

Between two main chimneys of large house be- 
low Chaptico Wharf 5 

West roof peak of house on Chaptico Wharf. ... 

Chimney on middle of square house 65 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (18 inches diameter). 124 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (8 inches diameter) 155 

Reference station 167 

Nail in blaze in oak tree (8 inches diameter) .... 213 

Chimney on Key house 275 

Chimney of Maddox house 344 

Right chimney outside of old house 354 

PERRY. 



00 00 1 ■' » miles. 

11 . 2 :l g miles. 

51 2 x /i miles. 

06 \ 8 mile. 

14 23-45 meters. 

23 16.55 meters. 

01 20 11.51 meters. 

29 18.74 meters. 

45 »K miles. 

28 3% miles. 

31 1^4 miles. 



41 
°3 



General locality. — Southeastern shore of Chaptico Bay, about 1 mile northeast of Mills Point and s s 
mile southeast of Cohouek Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is in an open field, about 20 feet above high water mark, 
8 yards northwest of edge of bank, 9 yards south-southwest from edge of gully in bank. 5 yards south 
of edge of bank of gully, and about 150 yards north-northeast of creek. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References.— ° 

"Fact" (S 51 10' W) o 

Chimney on right end of house 5 

Chimney on flat-roof house 15 

Left chimney of Crane house 31 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (3 inches diameter) . 42 

Nearest chimney on larger part of double brick 
house 42 

Left chimney of house on piles 55 

Near peak of roof on house 62 

Near corner of near chimney of Stoddard house . 66 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (3 inches diameter). 81 

Peak of front gable of house on ridge 113 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (8 inches diameter). 136 

Near chimney of large house on ridge 169 

Chimney outside of two-and-a-half-story house . 289 

BURR. 



1 mile. 

2- 1 » miles. 

2' j miles. 

37 3tt nli1 '- 

34 10.49 meters. 



5° 

28 

53 
59 



r I miles. 
1 V A miles. 

2 miles. 

2 miles. 



40 8.44 meters. 

51 3 to 4 miles 

40 5.95 meters 

08 iS/i miles. 

is 1 so yards. 



General locality. — Western shore of Wicomico River directly opposite mouth of Chaptico Bay and 
}4, mile north of Bowmans Creek. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on hard ground between a sloping bank to feet high covered 
with trees and a marshy shore, about 2 feet above high-water mark, 18 yards northwest of extreme 
point, 23 yards north of shore, 17 yards southwest of shore, and 9 yards southeast of bottom of bank. 



i6 



72 
88 



00 
39 



'5 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument 
References. — 

"Fact"(S6 5 °59 / E) 

Between two chimneys of large house on ridge . 

West end of peak of roof of house on Chaptico 
Wharf 

Right chimney of two-and-a-half-story house. . . 

Chimney in middle of large house 

Nail in blaze in persimmon tree (11 inches di- 
ameter) 97 

Nail in blaze in persimmon tree (9 inches di- 
ameter) 192 

Nail in blaze in persimmon tree (10 inches di- 
ameter) 236 

Main chimney of Key house 293 

Chimney on Maddox house 358 



27 



1)4 miles. 
43,4 miles. 

2^8 miles. 
1 ' 4 miles. 
1 ! s miles. 



25 7.67 meters. 

56 



32 

°3 

28 3's miles. 



.60 meters. 

.86 meters. 
2% miles. 



FACT. 



General locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River on Mills Point on south side of mouth of Chaptico 
Bay. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on a long point covered on the southern side with gum 
and cedar trees, about 10 feet above high-water mark. 23 yards from extreme end of top of bank, 6 
yards north of edge of bank, and 8 yards southeast of edge of bank. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"Cobb Point Bar Light" (S 7 13' E) o 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (7 inches diameter). . 3 

Nail in blaze inoak tree (28 inches diameter) . . 36 

Chimney on ell end of Stoddard house 157 08 i 7 smiles. 

Chimney on Key house 199 54 2 ' » miles. 

Near peak of roof of large house 274 25 ' 4 mile. 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (6 inches diameter). 301 

Near chimney of large house near shore 317 

West end of peak of house on Chaptico Wharf . . 342 



00 00 6'j miles. 

07 6.20 meters. 

16 6.37 meters. 



45 16.26 meters. 

53 H mile- 

53 



' s mile. 



BOWMAN. 



General locality. — Western shore of Wicomico River at northeast side of mouth of Bowmans Creek 
and i' 2 miles west by south of Mills Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is surrounded by water bushes on point of land about 1% 
feet above high water, 14 yards east of high-water mark, 16 yards north of extreme end of point. 20 
yards northeast of side of point. 20 yards south of several cedar trees, and about 150 yards south of a 
house . 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"Sacred Heart Church Spire" (S 62 50' E). . . o 00 

Chimney on end of long house 10 37 

Chimney of Iy r on house 13 56 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (7 inches diameter). 59 04 

Chimney on square house 76 25 

Crane house 168 10 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (6 inches diameter). 216 10 
Nail in blaze in cedar tree (7 inches diameter) . 232 40 

Chimney on near end of house 263 40 

Peak of roof between two chimneys. 357 27 



00 4fi miles. 

$% miles. 

3^ miles. 

40 8.88 meters. 

) 4 mile. 

2 miles. 

00 18.37 meters. 

30 !7-58 meters. 

1 2 mile. 

2^4 miles. 



28 Survey of Oyster Bars, CharU s ( 'ounty, Md. 

EEDLING. 

Gonial locality. — Western shore of Wicomico River about i' 4 miles southwest of Mills Point and 
about i mile southeast of mouth of Bowmans Creek, i Sec Chart No 

ImmediaU locality. — Observed station is in a shell-covered cultivated field, about 10 feet above 

high-water mark. 37 yards southwest of shell and gravel beach. 88 yards west northwest of extreme 
end of point, and 79 yards north of a ditch in marsh Cement monument marking reference station 
is 23.99 meters N 89 56' W of observed station. 

Marks. — Observed and reference stations are marked by the center point of the triangl 

standard cement monuments. 

References.— ° ' " 

"Fact" (S 39° 15' W) o 00 00 1 '., miles. 

Nail in blaze in gum tree (20 inches diameter). . 2 07 50 26.06 meters 

Near peak of roof of house on Chaptieo Wharf . 42 05 1 'smiles. 

Chimney outside near end of house on hill 44 24 2 s 5 miles. 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (3 inches diameter > . 49 54 40 ..... 25.75 meters. 

Reference station 50 48 55 23.99 meters. 

Chimney on right of ell of a house 60 12 2 miles. 

Near peak of roof of Eedling house 263 55 mile. 

Nail in blaze in oak tree (24 inches diameter).. 331 27 40 3.v99 meters. 

FARE.. 

General locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River about i,' 4 miles south -southeast of Mills Point 
and )i mile north of the mouth of Manahowick Creek. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is about 10 feet above high-water mark, 5 yards east by south 
of edge of bank. 32 yards north -north west of several pine trees at fish shanty near edge of bank. 22 yards 
south by east of other trees, and 300 yards west by north of a large house. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument buried 16 
inches below surface of ground with nail in stub at surface. 

References.— ° ' " 

"Cobb Point Bar Light" (S 2° 35' E) o 00 00 5'., miles. 

"Rock Point Catholic Church Cross" 8 03 40 3^ miles. 

Chimney on left side of house 42 41 1 ' 4 miles. 

Left chimney of Crane house 113 40 4' .. miles. 

Left peak of house on Chaptieo Wharf 153 08 ' ., mile. 

Left chimney of house on Mills Point farm 168 34 i' 4 miles. 

Right chimney on Maddox house 242 28 2 miles. 

Right corner of large house 292 ^^ ' 4 mile. 

Near corner of fish shanty 338 27 23.69 meters. 

GUST. 

General locality. — Western shore of Wicomico River on Windmill Point about \, mile north of the 
mouth of Hedneys Creek and opposite mouth of Manahowic Creek. (See Chart Mo. 26 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on shell and gravel point, bordered by persimmon and 
cedar trees, about 2 feet above high-water mark, 12 yards northwest of shore. to yards south of shore, 
and 28 yards west-southwest of shore on extreme end of point. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — ' " 

" Fact" (N 20 09' E) o 00 00 1 ' . miles. 

Nail in blaze in persimmon tree (8 inches di- 
ameter) 6 22 7.95/meters. 

Near peak of roof of house on Chaptieo Wharf. . 35 32 i' 4 miles 

Chimney on left side of large house 58 18 1 ■- „ miles. 

Chimney on middle of Lyon house 101 24 i\, miles 

Near peak of roof of house with two chimneys 171 43 mile. 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (4 inches diameter 1. . 204 14 00 5.90 meters 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (10 inches diameter 1. 301 03 io 16.18 meters. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Aid. 



29 



LYON. 

General locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River on a point about % mile north of Bramleigh 
Creek and 2 miles north by east of Rock Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on a point of land between the Lyon residence and edge 
of bank. 100 yards north of small pond which is fringed on river side with cedar trees, about 4 yards 
north of a bird house on a post, 19 yards east-northeast of most prominent point of bank, 15 yards east- 
southeast of side of bank, 16 yards north-northeast of another side, and 12 yards south -south west of a fence. 
Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References . — 

"Weiss" (S 25° 47' E) o 00 

Nail in blaze in cedar post of bird house sup- 
port 51 15 

Nail in blaze in pear tree (6 inches diameter). . 58 00 

Chimney of house 129 14 

Left chimney of Crane house 148 52 

Between two chimneys of large brick house. . . . 159 59 
Near peak of roof between two chimneys of 

large house 171 56 

West end of peak of roof of house on Chaptico 

Wharf 186 23 

Corner of fence 198 

Near corner of house 247 

Right corner of small house 295 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (4 inches diameter) . 302 
Right corner of shed 336 



J ^ 



00 i '4 miles. 

20 3.67 meters. 

50 n-74 meters. 

I s s miles. 

miles. 

miles. 

miles. 

23 1 ! 4 miles. 

08 14.15 meters. 

11 22.01 meters. 

38 24.59 meters. 

02 10 8.82 meters. 

36 1498 meters. 



SACRED HEART CHURCH SPIRE (BUSHWOOD). 

General locality. — Easterly side of Wicomico River on high hind about 1 ' , miles inland, north by 
east of Bushwood Wharf (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is steeple of Sacred Heart Church near Bushwood. 
Marks. — Observed station is center of cross on steeple. 
References. — None necessary. 

HEDNEY. 

General locality. — Western shore of Wicomico River on first point above mouth of Charleston Creek 
and about i ! 4 miles northwest of White Point. (Sec Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is about 25 feet above high-water mark, 16 yards west- 
southwest of edge of bank, 139 yards north of large tree at edge of bank, 85 yards north of oak tree at 
edge of bank, 155 yards east-northeast of gum tree 20 inches diameter on bank of a pond, and about 
1 8 mile east-southeast of a house among trees. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument with top buried 
12 inches below the surface of the ground. Surface mark is nail in stub with top 5 inches above sur- 
face of ground. 
References. — 

" Sacred Heart Church Spire " (N So 31' E) . . o 00 
Near corner of nearest chimney of four on a 

large house on hill 7 11 

Right chimney of a large house 13 03 

Middle of island at end of White Point Bar. . . 3S 45 
Nail in blaze in oak tree (48 inches diameter). . 50 28 
Nail in blaze in walnut tree (36 inches diam- 
eter) 84 52 

Middle of gum tree 147 46 

Near peak of roof between two chimneys 239 48 

Near chimney on large house 312 19 

Chimney of Lyon house 352 40 



4'2 

2 



miles. 

miles. 

miles. 

i"s miles. 

00 73. 16 meters. 

30 115.63 meters. 

30 !3 8 -47 meters. 

^ mile. 

ij/s miles. 

ij s miles, 



io 



Survey o) Oyster Bars, Charles Comity. Md. 



CHARLES. 

General locality- — Western shore of Wicomico River on first point south of entrance to Charleston 

Creek, and i' 4 miles north of Rock Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on a small marshy point about 6 inches above high-water 
mark and 18 yards east of pine woods on a bank 10 feet above high water. Cement monument marking 
reference station is 1556 meters N 57° io' W of observed station. 

Marks. — Observed station is nail in stub with top 2 inches above ground. Reference Station is 
center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 

References. — 



"Hard" (S 17 38' E) o 

Nail in blaze in pine tree (10 inches diameter 1 . 47 

Nail in blaze in pine tree (12 inches diameter) . . 84 

Nail in blaze in pine tree (7 inches diameter) . . . 134 

Reference station 138 

West chimney on two-story house 265 

"Sacred Heart Church Spire (Hushwood)". . . . 268 

1 West chimney on Garner house 293 

West gable of house on Bushwood Wharf 300 

WEISS. 



00 00 i'j miles. 

51 28.46 meters 

58 16.66 meters 

22 16.87 meters. 

28 10 15.56 meters. 

53 ''4 nlilt ' s 

03 50 2 " 4 miles. 

51 i 1 , miles. 

07 2 miles. 



General locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River on White Point, about 3 miles north by east of 
Cobb Point Bar Light. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on a bluff near small cedar trees, about 8 feet above high- 
water mark, 13 yards north of and 27 yards south of edges of bluff and 52 yards east of extreme point. 
Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References— . 

"Cobb Point Bar Light " (S 11° 43' W) o 

Flagstaff on schoolhouse 40 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree ( 10 inches diameter) . 54 

Left chimney on two-story house 155 

Nail in blaze in poplar tree (3 inches diameter). 181 

"Sacred Heart Church Spire " 216 

West chimney of Garner house 260 

Nail in blaze in poplar tree (4 inches diameter). 266 

West gable of house on Bushwood Wharf 284 

Left chimney on two-story house 342 



00 
41 
°3 
26 
46 
56 



26 



00 3 ' s miles. 

20 iyi miles. 

10 42.29 meters. 

y A mile. 

6.24 meters 

30 i'j miles. 

•<* mile. 

50 37-8o meters. 

s s mile. 



miles. 



BLAKISTONE. 



General locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River, about ,' 4 mile southeast of Plowdens Wharf at 
Bushwood, and about 3 miles north-northeast of Cobb Point Bar Light. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on second bluff southeast of Bushwood Wharf, 15 feet above 
high-water mark, 15 yards southeast of a large dogwood tree, about 6 yards northeast of edge of bluff, 
3 yards southwest of rail fence, about 15 yards southwest of an ice house near orchard, and 5 to 10 yards 
south to east of several small cedar trees. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References — 

" Prec " (S 18° 42' W) .' o 

"Rock Point Catholic Church Cross" 51 

Left peak of roof of wharf house 94 

Large tree 117 

Chimney of Blakistone store 125 

Near peak of roof of Blakistone house 176 

Point of cupola on Ranahan house 191 

Near left corner of sill of ice house 233 

Right lower corner 260 

Near peak of roof 312 



00 00 2 miles. 

28 30 2 miles. 

16 i'-s miles. 

48 I3-36 meters. 

48 ' 4 mile. 

32 250 yards. 

45 i>< miles. 

15 1415 meters. 

33 15.76 meters. 

54 Vi mile. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 31 

HARD. 

General locality. — Western shore of Wicomico River on point of land known as Rock Point about 2 
miles north by west of Cobb Point Bar Light. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on low point of land near several small cedar trees about 1 
foot above high-water mark, 47 yards west of shore, 16 yards south of shore, 30 yards north of shore, 
about 80 yards northeast by north of Rock Point Wharf, and 170 yards northeast by east of Lancasters 
store. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References.— ° ' " 

"Cobb Point Bar Light " (S 10° 17' E) o 00 00 smiles. 

Northeast gable of wharf house 41 07 80 yards. 

"Rock Point Catholic Church Cross" 70 16 20 " 4 mile. 

South chimney on Lancaster store 88 53 170 yards. 

Point of east gable on house 134 44 > 4 mile. 

"Sacred Heart Church Spire " 230 04 20 smiles. 

Gable of house on wharf at Bushwood 256 00 i^ 4 miles. 

West gable of house 293 06 2 miles. 

West gable on one-story house 315 19 2 ! 4 ' miles. 

North chimney of two-story house 330 12 2 ' 2 miles. 

ROCK POINT CATHOLIC CHURCH CROSS. 

General, locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River at Rock Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 
Immediate locality. — Observed station is in settlement called Rock Point. It is on the larger of 
two similar buildings, the smaller one being the schoolhouse. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of cross on Rock Point Catholic Church. 
References. — None necessary. 

PREC. 

General locality. — Eastern shore of Wicomico River on Bluff Point about 2 miles north-northeast of 
Cobb Point Bar Light. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is about 10 feet above high-water mark, 34 yards southeast 
of nearest end of neck of Bluff Point, 29 yards south-southeast of shore, 16 yards northeast of shore, and 
88 yards west by southwest of house. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"Cobb Point Bar Light" (S 28° 37' W) o 00 00 2 miles. 

Tangent of woods on Cobb Point 34 04 2 miles. 

" Rock Point Catholic Church Cross" 70 16 30 it » miles. 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (3 inches diameter). . 116 14 40 20.64 meters. 

Left chimney of Garner house 148 42 i' s miles. 

Nail in blaze in left one of twin locust trees (12 

inches diameter) 1 53 38 20 3036 meters. 

"Sacred Heart Church Spire" 172 15 10 2 ! 4 miles. 

Near chimney of Sherrer house 228 37 88 yards. 

Nail in blaze in poplar tree (6 inches diameter). 243 01 50 33.74 meters. 

Nail in blaze in poplar tree (5 inches diameter 1. 282 00 40 27.71 meters. 

Left chimney of cottage 298 22 ' s mile. 

Right chimney of Bailey house on St. Margarets 
Island 336 25 \% miles. 



32 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

CORNER. 

General locality. -Western shore of Wicomico River on the eastern siile of an island known as Cobb 
Point Neck about halfway between Cobb Point and the entrance to Xeales Sound. (See Chart No 

Immediate locality Observed station is in a cultivated field on a lilulT bordered with pine trees 

about 15 feet above high-water mark, 3 yards west of a wire fence running along edgt ol bluff and 21 

yards east-northeast of a wire fence which separates cornfield from pine wi 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References.— 

"Cobb Point Bar Light" (S 29 39' E) o 00 00 i ; s miles. 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (3 inches diameter) . . 50 02 16.98 meters. 

Nail in blaze in pine tree (8 inches diameter) . . 111 43 21.41 meters. 
Nail in blaze in pine tree (12 inches diameter). 135 20 . 33.2a meters. 
Middle chimney of house. .. 177 07 ' 4 mile. 
"Catholic Church Cross" 217 16 10 " >. mile- 
Left chimney of house on. St. Margarc-ts Island . . 318 56 i^i miles. 

ST. MARGARET 2. 

General locality. — Northwestern side of Potomac River on the southwestern side of St. Margarets 
Island in the mouth of the Wicomico River about 1 mile northeast of Cobb Point Bar Light. (See Chart 

No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on a bluff about 12 feet above high-water mark. 15 inches 
northeast of edge of bluff, 86 yards northwest of cow shed. 120 yards south southwest of several houses 
and 154 yards west-southwest of Bailey (large) house. Cement monument marking reference station is 
79.19 meters N 46 26' E of observed station and at corner of cow shed. 

Marks. — Observed station is center of a stub in a 2'. .-inch tile pipe sit in cement with top flush 
with ground. Reference station is center point of triangle of standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"Cobb Point Bar Light" (S 53° 22' W) o 00 00 1 mile. 

Tangent of Cobb Point 45 13 1 '- \ miles. 

"Rock Point Catholic Church Cross" 83 42 50 iyi miles. 

Chimney on left of Garner new house 129 40 -• miles 

"Sacred Heart Church Spire " 143 27 50 t miles. 

Reference station 173 04 15 79.19 meters. 

Left chimney of Bailey house 194 51 150 yards. 

Nearest chimney of small house on Bullock 

Island 220 26 1 mile. 

Left chimney of small house on St. Catherine 

Island 258 32 1 ' 4 miles. 

COBB POINT BAR LIGHT 

General locality. — Northerly side of Potomac River at mouth of Wicomico River on the southeastern 
extremity of Cobb Point Bar. (See Chart No. 20. | 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on the end of Cobb Point Par at the mouth of the Wicomico 
River. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of black lantern on screw pile structure known as "Cobb 
Point Bar Light." 

References. — 

"Blakiston Island Light " (S 6i° 25' E) o 00 00 5 milcv 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 
RIVER SPRINGS CATHOLIC CHAPEL CROSS. 



33 



General locality. — Northern side of Potomac River inland about }4 mile north by west of River 
Springs. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on building known as River Springs Catholic Chapel. 
Marks. — Observed station is center of cross on River Springs Catholic Chapel. 
References. — None necessary. 

SOUND. 

General locality. — Northern shore of St. Catherine Sound about 2% miles east by north of Cobb Point 
Bar Light and X mile east of Bullock Island. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is about 15 feet above high-water mark, 35 yards north of edge 
of bank, 2 yards east of wire fence, 65 yards east of edge of bank, 57 yards south of southeast comer of 
fence of house yard, and 63 yards south by west of telephone pole line which is on the same side of the road. 
Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — o / // 

"Cobb Point Bar Light" (S 84 53' W) o 00 

Right chimney of house on Bullock Island 8 24 

Near end of small chimney on large house 27 15 

Left corner post of fence 65 05 

Near corner of chimney of small house 86 25 

Near corner post of fence 100 58 

Right peak of roof of barn 115 20 

" River Springs Catholic Chapel Cross " 148 31 

Chimney of Blakistone store 189 16 

Near chimney of Bailey house 217 59 

Chimney on smaller house on St. Catherine Island. 323 03 

BAILEY. 



00 2% miles. 

yi mile. 

1 mile. 

Near. 

Near. 

Near. 

Near. 

10 1 mile. 

l /i mile. 

yi mile. 

i/i mile. 



General locality. — Northeastern shore of St. Catherine Sound, about 34 mile east by north of eastern 
end of St. Catherine Island and 1 mile north of the Potomac River. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on shell}- ground on Bailey property, about 5 feet above 
high-water mark, 10 yards northeast of high-water mark, 7 yards northeast of a wire fence, 35 yards 
south-southeast of corner of wire fence, 30 yards north-northwesc of corner of wire and wooden fences, 
25 yards north of Bailey house, and 40 yards west by south of corner of wooden fence. 
Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"Cobb Point Bar Light" (N 88° n' W) o 

Nail in blaze in one of four cedar trees (3 inches 

diameter) 13 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (8 inches diameter). . 44 

Comer of wire fence 46 

Chimney on house 90 

"River Springs Catholic Chapel Cross" 113 

Corner of wooden fence 175 

Chimney of Bailey house 203 

Junction of wire and wooden fences 254 

Left chimney of house on Waterloo Point 277 

Nail in blaze in first of six cedar trees 297 

Right chimney of small house on St. Catherine 
Island 348 

77572—11 3 



00 00 2% miles. 

29 12.37 meters. 

59 27.82 meters. 

29 32.06 meters. 

38 150 yards. 

06 00 1 mile. 

52 37-49 meters. 

26 25 yards. 

35 26.22 meters. 



43 



mile. 



27 10.76 meters. 



mile. 



34 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 
ST. CATHERINE. 



General locality. — Southern shore of St. Catherine Sound, on the northern side of St. Catherine 
Island. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is about 12 feet above high-water mark. 86 yards south of edge 
of bank, 49 yards west of line of young cedar trees, 198 yards northeast of a lone mulberry tree 3 feet in 
diameter, and 207 yards southeast of small house among trees. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument with top 12 
inches below the surface. 
References. — 

" Cobb Point Bar Light" (N 8i° 08' W) o 

Right side of right chimney on small house 13 

Left chimney of large house on St. Margarets Island 34 

Right chimney of house on Bullock Island 66 

Chimney of Blackistone house 117 

"River Springs Catholic Chapel Cross" 129 

Left chimney of Bailey house 158 

Right chimney of Young house on Waterloo Point. 207 

WATERLOO. 



00 00 ijs miles. 

04 207 yards. 

42 i;' s miles. 

01 ]/i mile. 

39 fa mile. 

17 40 i's miles. 

19 yi mile. 

48 i/i mile. 



00 
02 



10 37 20 



1 mile. 
1 mile. 
5 miles. 



Catherine Island and about % mile north of Potomac River. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is at top of rise in field, about 8 feet above high-water mark. 
48 yards east by south of shore at a point where several mulberry trees stand, 43 yards south of large 
sugarberry tree, 19 yards south by east of wire-fence post, and 200 yards north of Young house on Water- 
loo Farm. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument, with top 12 
inches below surface of ground . 
References.— 

"Sound" (N 18° 41' W) o 

Near end of peak of Blackistone barn 3 

"Sacred Heart Church Spire (Bushwood)". . . . 
Peak of gable of Blackistone house at River 

Springs 21 

Near peak of roof of Bailey house 31 

Near peak of roof of Yates house 49 

Near peak of roof of Quaid house 71 

Near peak of house 92 

Nail in blaze in apple tree (5 inches diameter) . . 1 1 1 
Nail in blaze 8-inch branch on apple tree (14 

inches diameter) 1 53 

Nail in blaze in apple tree (6 inches diameter) . . 203 

Near peak of roof of Young house 206 

Left tangent of St. Catherine Island 300 

Right chimney of roof of house on Bullock 

Island 337 

Near peak of roof of house 352 



54 
01 

13 

25 

31 
20 



J/& mile. 

$4 mile. 

Y mile. 

' 4 mile. 

Yi mile. 

30 34-78 meters. 



20 2490 meters. 

00 26.18 meters. 

57 200 yards. 

21 ii mile. 



34 
5° 



19 iH miles. 

57 \yi, miles. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 



35 



PRINCE. 

General locality. — Western shore of Patuxent River, about J /i mile north of mouth of Swanson Creek. 
(See Chart No. 26.) ' 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is in pasture about 20 feet above high water, 15 yards north- 
west of edge of bank, 75 yards northeast of a grove of trees, and 100 yards southwest of another grove 
of trees. Locust trees form a fringe along edge of bank. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — a / // 

"Leitch" (S83 oi' E)...' o 

Square chimney on house o 

Chimney on store at Buena Vista 19 

Chimney of Dr. Huggins house at Buena Vista . . 21 
Nearest chimney on Gourley house on Hallow- 
ing Point 55 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (3 inches diameter) . . 79 
Nail in blaze in locust tree (4 inches diameter) . . no 

Outside chimney on large house on hill 150 

Near end of peak of roof 226 

Middle of clump of trees 273 

Chimney of house 311 

Nail in blaze in crotch of locust tree (6 inches 
diameter) 350 



00 
02 
IS 



4 mile. 
4 mile. 
^ miles. 



07 \% miles. 

16 1% miles. 

38 30 1594 meters. 

13 3° I4-S5 meters. 

45 Xmile- 

02 y^ mile. 

00 100 yards. 

04 iy± miles. 



39 10 !9- 2 7 meters. 



LEITCH. 



General locality. — Eastern shore of Patuxent River, on prominent point opposite mouth of Swanson 
Creek, given on chart as Gods Grace Point, but known locally as Leitchs Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on sand and grass land about 1 foot above high water and 
3 yards north of straight line coimecting two round points. It is about 13 yards northwest of the lower 
of these two points and 9 yards east of upper point. A creek 3 feet wide has its mouth about 19 yards 
east by south of the station. There are no permanent objects near station. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — ° ' " 

"Prince" (N 83 oo' W) o 

Near end of corner peak of roof of large house on 

hill 25 

Near end of peak of wharf-house roof 77 

Right chimney of house 183 

Right chimney of Gourley house : . 253 

Canning-house stack 277 

"Catholic Church Cross" 281 

Chimney of small house 308 

Right outside chimney of old house 328 

Right outside chimney of old house 343 



00 00 %■ mile. 

02 i}4 miles. 

46 % mile. 

32 yi mile. 

58 2 miles. 

22 2 miles. 

35 30 2 miles. 

52 1 mile. 

43 iX miles. 

05 1.% miles. 



FODDER. 

General locality. — Western shore of Patuxent River on the southern side of the mouth of Swanson 
Creek about 1 mile west-southwest of Leitch Wharf and ?4 mile west-northwest of Point Judith (locally 
known as Teague Point). (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on the edge of cultivated land about 10 feet above high- 
water mark, 4 yards west of edge of bank, and 9 yards north of another edge. Cement monument mark- 
ing reference station is 15.21 meters S 6o° 52' W of observed station. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument with a top 9 
inches square and 8 inches above surface of ground. Reference station is center point of triangle on 
standard cement monument with a top about 8 inches square and 5 inches above surface ground. 



36 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 



References.— 

"Prince" (N 25 oo'E) o oo 

Near peak of large house on bluff 17 55 

Right corner of house , 24 08 

Near peak of Leitch Wharf house 35 n 

Left peak of Leitch house 48 37 

Front peak of house at Buena Vista 75 00 

Chimney outside left end of house on hill 87 16 

Near peak of small house 101 33 

Large chimney on small house 174 43 

Left side of left chimney outside Bowling 

house 211 47 

Reference station 215 52 

Left corner of house on top of hill 318 27 



2 

''4 



3° 



15.21 



mile. 

miles. 

miles. 

miles. 

miles. 

miles. 

miles. 

mile. 

mile. 

mile. 

meters. 

mile. 



BUENA. 



General locality. — Eastern shore of Patuxent River about 1% miles northeast of Benedict at place 
known as Buena Vista. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is in a field on land adjoining house owned by S. V. Smith 
and occupied by Dr. Huggins. It is about 10 feet above high water, 8 yards cast of edge of bank, 
and 12 yards south of a rail fence. Cement monument marking reference station is 11. 11 meters 
N 5 42' E of observed station and near fence. 

Marks. — Observed station is nail in stub with top 2 inches above ground. Reference station is 
center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"Hallowing" (S 27° 22' W) o 

Center of red roof on square house near Bene- 
dict 18 

Canning-house stack 21 

" Catholic Church Cross " 29 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (4 inches diameter). . 31 

Left chimney of old house 66 

Left chimney of old house 72 

Nail in blaze on cherry tree (2 inches diam- 
eter) 99 

Peak of roof of large house 99 

Chimney of house near Leitch Wharf 108 

Nail in blaze on fence post 143 

Reference station 158 20 

Near corner of house 159 44 

Cherry tree on fence line (15 inches diameter). . 221 25 
Double apple tree (30 inches diameter) 290 54 



00 00 1 ' j miles. 

05 2 miles. 

30 \% miles. 

04 10 \% miles. 

48 40 8.58 meters. 

15 3 miles. 

52 3 miles. 



o; 9.70 meters 

IS 

5 2 
33 



4 miles. 

1 mile. 

50 11. 18 meters. 

20 1 1. 1 1 meters. 

25 yards. 

35 yards. 

S9 yards. 



TEAGUE. 



General locality. — Western shore of Patuxent River on point on southern side of entrance to Swan- 
son Creek, locally known as Teague Point, and given on chart as Point Judith. 1 See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on gravel and grass land about 3 feet above high water, 
about 11 yards from south side, 16 yards from north-northeast side, and 75 yards west by north of 
extreme end of point. Bushes stand between station and north side of point. There are no perma- 
nent reference objects near station. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 



37 



References. — ' 

"Buena" (N 85 24' E). .." o 00 

Tangent of Teague Point 20 00 

Near corner of right chimney of Gourley house 

near Hallowing Point 65 45 

Canning-house stack 106 18 

Near end of peak of hotel 108 12 

Left one of two ivy-covered chimneys no 25 

"Catholic Church Cross" 114 n 

Chimney on Slye House 130 30 

Left chimney of house on hill 144 57 

Tanget of high-water mark 168 00 

Near end of peak of roof 223 41 

Chimney on large house on hill 243 20 

Left chimney on house 301 17 

Near end of peak of roof on store at Buena Vista. . 355 59 



i'/i miles. 


75 yards. 


i' 4 miles. 


i I 4 miles. 


1J4 miles. 


1 mile. 


1 mile. 


2 miles. 


2 miles. 


75 yards 


1 mile. 


3 miles. 


1 mile. 


1 ' 4 miles. 



CATHOLIC CHURCH CROSS (BENEDICT). 

General locality. — Western shore of upper Patuxent River in the town of Benedict. (See Chart 
No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on Catholic Church, located on the main street of the 
town of Benedict about one-fourth mile from the wharf. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of cross on church. 

References. — None necessary. 

CITY. 



General locality. — Western shore of Patuxent River on Town Point about one-fourth mile north- 
northeast of Benedict steamboat wharf. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on gravel and shell point about 4 feet above high water, 
12 yards northwest of the shore, 63 yards west-southwest of a shanty, about 100 yards west-southwest 
of extreme end of point, and n yards southeast of a slough. There are no permanent reference objects 
near station. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References.— ° 

"Hallowing" (S 51° 21' E) o 

Windmill near Sheridan Point 21 

Two middle chimneys at Dowells 21 

Left tangent of peak of wharf-house roof 81 

Center of roof of square house 84 

Canning-house stack 95 

Nearest ivy-covered chimney of old house 130 

" Catholic Church Cross " 142 

Left square chimney of house 245 

Near end of peak of roof of Huggins house 280 

Near corner of shanty 300 

Right chimney of Gourley house 339 

Chimney of old building behind wharf 352 



00 00 yi mile. 

39 3*A miles. 

39 3>2 miles. 

34 Xmile. 

36 ]A mile. 

22 X mile. 

14 .. ....... yimWe. 

58 5° % mile. 

42 1J-4 miles. 

54 iK miles. 

44 63 yards. 

20 %" mile. 

01 24 mile. 



33 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 



HALLOWING. 

General locality- — Eastern shore of Patuxent River on point opposite Benedict, known locally ;is 
Holland Point, but given on charts as Hallowing Point. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on a rounded gravel and grass point about 250 yards south 
of wharf on Holland Point, about 2 feet above high water. 10 yards north of shore. 8 yards east of shore, 
and 15 yards outside of a group of locust trees, sugar-berry trees, and bushes. 

Marks. — -Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"City" (N 51 21' W) o 

Left end of peak of roof of wharf house on 

Holland Point 23 

Chimney of store at Buena Vista 77 

Nail in blaze in nearest one of group of four 

sugar-berry trees (each 8 inches diameter) ... 92 
Nail in blaze in sugar-berry tree (10 inches 

diameter) 109 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (4 inches diameter) . . 167 

Smokepipe on Trent Hall Wharf building 227 

Outside chimney of detached house at Soth- 

orons 309 

Center of roof on square house 314 

Canning-house stack 333 

"Catholic Church Cross" 347 



00 00 V mile. 

15 2 5° yards. 

27 i 3 4 miles. 

24 12.88 meters. 

5 8 5° 15-74 meters. 

55 40 11.90 meters. 

35 2 '-t miles. 



54 i 1 2 miles. 

15 H mile. 

14 mile. 

3^ mile. 



16 
44 



INDIAN. 



General locality. — Western shore of Patuxent River on north side of entrance to Indian Creek and 
about one-fourth mile below Benedict steamboat wharf. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is about 3 feet above high water, 7 yards west of -.bore, 16 
yards northeast of a fence and a line of trees, 13 yards southwest of a lone locust tree, about 250 yards 
to the south-southeast of a large square house, and 125 yards east-northeast of another house. 
Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — 

"Sothoron" (S 23 n' E) o 

Nail in blaze in locust tree near fence (5 inches 

diameter) 33 

Nail in blaze in middle branch of locust tree 

(6 inches diameter) 66 

Square chimney on old house 137 

Right chimney of square house 188 

Near end of peak of roof of hotel 206 

Canning-house stack 213 

Nail in blaze in left branch of locust tree (5 

inches diameter) 225 

Right tangent of Benedict Wharf 228 

Chimney of house near "Buena Vista" 245 

Chimney of Gourley house 270 

Windmill at Dowell's on Sheridan Point 344 

Left of right chimney on Dowell house 344 48 4 ! 4 miles. 



00 00 1 mile. 

48 5° 15-57 meters. 

24 50 19-13 meters. 

23 i% miles. 

30 'si mile. 

26 ; 4 ' mile. 

22 10 % mile. 

28 12.90 meters. 

10 % mile. 

58 2^4 miles. 

28 1 mile. 

4X miles. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 
DWARF. 



39 



General locality. — Eastern shore of Patuxent River about 2 miles north-northwest of Sheridan Point 
and about i 1 / miles southeast of Benedict on a point of land opposite the mouth of Indian Creek. (See 
Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on sand and grass land about 1 foot above high-water 
mark, 6 yards northeast from extreme end of point, 4 yards east of one edge of shore, and 6 yards north 
of another edge of shore. Point on which station is located has a sugar-berry tree, several small locust 
trees and water bushes, and a pond behind bushes and trees about 100 yards to the east. 
Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References.— ° ' 

"Sothoron" (S 42° 05' W) o 00 

Nearest corner of top of nearest chimney on 

tenant house 80 31 

Center of roof of square house 83 16 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (4 inches diameter). . 93 38 

Canning-house stack 95 03 

"Catholic Church Cross" 99 03 

Left tangent of wharf 124 19 

Nail in sugar-berry tree ( 10 inches diameter) .... 152 38 
Nail in blaze in locust tree (3 inches diameter). . 196 22 

Chimney on small house 258 48 

Left point of peak of roof of Dowell's 287 30 

Left end of peak of roof of Trent Hall Wharf. . . 315 35 

Middle cupola on stable 321 12 

Right pillar on Sothoron house porch 359 21 

SOTHORON. 



00 34 mile. 

2 miles. 

i mile. 

30 4.22 meters. 

33 iX miles. 

10 \% miles. 

%■ mile. 

30 8.94 meters. 

20 2.68 meters. 

2 miles. 

2% miles. 

\% miles. 

20 lyi miles. 

1 mile. 



00 00 1% miles. 

55 iX miles. 

49 3-35 meters. 



General locality. — Western shore of Patuxent River on Long Point between entrances to Indian and 
Trent Hall creeks. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on sand and grass lowland about 1 foot above high-water 
mark among cedar trees, about 24 yards west by north of extreme end of point, 12 yards north of one 
edge of shore and 30 yards southwest of another edge of shore. 

Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. 
References. — o / // 

"Hallowing" (N 13 51' E) o 

Nearest chimney on Gourlcy house 3 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (4 inches diameter) . . 30 

Left end of peak of roof of Dowell house 120 

Middle cupola on Trent Hall stable 150 

Point of middle attic window on John Bullinger 

house 187 

Left pillar of porch of Sothoron house 206 

Nail in blaze in cedar tree (12 inches diameter). 242 
Near corner of nearest chimney on Slye house . . 291 
Nail in blaze in locust tree (4 inches diameter) . . 302 
Right one of two outside chimneys on old house 

on hill on property of A. B. Slye 307 

Center of roof on square house 323 

Nail in blaze in locust tree (6 inches diameter) . . 350 



35 
25 

42 
2 3 

5i 
05 
29 



2'A 

iX 



miles, 
miles. 



31 
39 
24 



1 mile. 

yi mile. 

50 8.12 meters. 

20 2 miles. 

40 10.83 meters. 

2 miles. 

1 mile . 

10 12.81 meters. 



4o 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 



BUZZ. 

General locality. — Northeast shore of Patuxent River on southwest side of Buzzards Island near 
mouth of Buzzards Island Creek. (See Chart No. 26.) 

Immediate locality. — Observed station is on marsh, clay, and grass land on wooded island about 2 
feet above high water, 5 yards northeast of river shore and 40 yards northwest of extreme point of island. 
Cement monument marking reference station is 8.97 meters N 42° 23' 15 of observed station. 

Marks. — Observed station is nail in stub with top flush with ground. Reference station is center 
point of triangle on standard cement monument. 

References. — ' // 



"Morsel" (S 25° 23' E) o 

Smokepipe on roof of storehouse 39 

Near corner of near chimney 40 

Chimney of Trent Hall 50 

Nearest of three cupolas on stable 54 

Left piazzi post at Sothorons 102 

Center of roof of square house 155 

" Catholic Church Cross " 164 

Nail in blaze in oak tree (18 inches diameter). . 172 
Nail in blaze in oak tree (18 inches diameter). . 198 
Nail in blaze in oak tree (24 inches diameter). . 235 

Reference station 252 

Nail in blaze in pine tree (5 inches diameter). . 253 
Chimney on house across creek 313 



36 



; '4 mile. 
2 miles. 
2 miles. 



48 \% miles. 

36 50 i' 4 miles. 

41 l]/i miles. 

15 iff miles. 

56 .' miles. 

14 4-5S meters. 

36 40 13.16 meters. 

08 30 9.62 meters. 

45 45 8 -"7 meters. 

43 6.52 meters. 

23 14 mile. 



BOUNDARIES OF OYSTER BARS. 

EXPLANATION. 

The law of the United States authorizing the cooperation of the Department of 
Commerce and Labor in the survey of natural oyster bars of Maryland provides for the 
designation and employment by the Department of Commerce and Labor of such officers, 
experts, and other technically qualified persons "as may be necessary to cooperate with 
the Maryland State Board of Shell Fish Commissioners in making a survey of and 
locating the natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of 
Marvland." The oyster laws of Maryland provide that the Maryland Shell Fish Com- 
missioners, with the aid of such persons as may be designated by the Government, shall 
proceed "to have laid out, surveyed, and designated on the said charts the natural 
beds and bars, and shall cause to be marked and defined as accurately as practicable 
the limits and boundaries of the natural beds, bars, and rocks as established by said 
survey, and they shall take true and accurate notes of said survey in writing, and make 
an accurate report of said survey, setting forth such a description of landmarks as may 
be necessary to enable the said board, or their successors, to find and ascertain the 
boundary lines of the said natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks, as shown by a delinea- 
tion on the maps and charts." The oyster laws of Maryland also provide in another 
section that there shall "be made a true and accurate survey of the natural oyster 
beds, bars, and rocks * * * with reference to fixed and permanent objects on the 
shore, giving courses and distances, to be fully described and set out in a written report 
of said survey." 

Under the provisions of the laws quoted above the State of Maryland, in coopera- 
tion with the Department of Commerce and Labor, must define the boundaries of the 
natural oyster bars "as accurately as practicable" and also "with reference to fixed and 
permanent objects on the shore, giving courses and distances." The requirement of 
"as accurately as practicable" is easily fulfilled by definition of the location of the 
corners of the oyster bars by latitude and longitude. In fact, this method is probably 
the most satisfactory and accurate one that could be used for all purposes of legal 
definition or for relocation of the oyser-bar boundaries by competent engineers. There- 
fore the additional requirement of "giving courses and distances" is superfluous and 
is only fulfilled in the published definitions on account of the specific provisions of 
the law making it compulsory. This part of the description of boundaries has involved 
an immense amount of extra computations in order to prevent technical discrepancies 
between the latitude and longitude of a corner of an oyster bar and its distance and 
bearing from objects on shore of known latitude and longitude without adding anything 
to the accuracy and very little to the convenience of practical use of the descriptions 
of the oyser-bar boundaries. 

41 



42 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

As provided by law the boundaries of the oyster bars are all straight lines, but in 
the work already completed they have inclosed areas of all shapes from triangles to 
complicated 14-sided figures, and of all sizes from 4 acres to 7,548 acres. The sides 
have varied in length from 93 to 7,529 yards, and in some cases the corners of the bound- 
aries have been practically at the triangulation stations from which they are located, 
while in other instances they were over 13,600 yards from the landmarks most available 
for the purpose of fixing their position. 

The varied characteristics of the legal boundaries of the oyster bars indicated by 
the above statement, together with the complicated requirements of the law under 
which the survey has been made and the magnitude of the work with the consequent 
need of fixed and uniform methods, have made the problem of describing the boundaries 
one of considerable difficulty and great importance. 

The boundaries of the oyster bars of Maryland, as established by the Shell Fish 
Commission and delineated on the Coast and Geodetic Survey charts and projections 
and on the leasing charts of the Commission, are technically defined and described by a 
method somewhat different from that used in other oyster surveys. But it is believed 
that the forms finally adopted will fulfill all needs of the survey for both the present and 
the future. 

METHOD OF DESCRIBING BOUNDARIES. 

The descriptions have been arranged in tabular form, thus avoiding many hundred 
repetitions of the same words by making one explanation of the tables sufficient for all 
oyster bars in each county. 

Title. — At the top of each tabular form is given the legal name of the oyster bar to 
be described, and the one by which it is known and designated in the published oyster 
records and on the oyster charts. The adopted name of the oyster bar is the one used 
locally, as nearly as could be ascertained by the hydrographic engineer of the Commis- 
sion; and when there was no local name in common use a name was selected from one 
of the prominent features of the vicinity that would naturally suggest the section of 
the waters where the oyster bar was located. 

Underneath the name, in parentheses, is given the general locality of the oyster 
bar and the serial number of the "Maryland Oyster Chart " on which its legal boundaries 
are shown. a 

First column. — This column, under the heading of "Corner of bar," gives the number 
corresponding to the corner of the boundary as shown on the charts and to the number 
on the buov marking the actual corner of the bar. The numbers of the corners have 
been assigned by naming the southernmost point No. 1 , thence proceeding in a clock- 
wise direction around the bar. Where a corner of one oyster bar is identical with 
the corner of the boundaries of one or more other oyster bars, only the number of the 
corner of the oyster bar being described in the table is given in this column 

Second and third columns. — These two columns, under the headings of "Latitude" 
and "Longitude," give the geographic positions of the corners. These positions have 
been adopted by the Commission as the primary technical definition of the location of 
the corners, and should be considered as final in case of a dispute arising from discrep- 

a These charts can be obtained by application to the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic 
Survey at Washington, D. C. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 43 

ancies caused by other means of location. The latitudes and longitudes given in these 
columns are based on the United States standard datum of the Coast and Geodetic 
Survey, and the points thus denned can be relocated from distant triangulation stations 
of the survey, even though all the landmarks and buoys originally used for their loca- 
tion have been destroyed by natural or other causes. 

Fourth and fifth columns. — These two columns, under the general heading of "True 
bearing" and the specific headings "Forward" and "Back," give bearings measured 
from a true north-and-south line. The three "Forward" bearings are from the corner 
of the boundary designated in the first column to the triangulation stations named on 
the corresponding lines in the last column, and the three "Back" bearings are from 
these same stations in the last column to the corresponding corner of boundary in the 
first column. The difference in minutes of arc between the forward and back bearings 
shown in some cases is actual and not accidental, and is due to the fact that the com- 
putations took into account the spheroidal shape of the earth. 

Sixth column. — This column, under the heading of "Distance," gives the three 
computed distances in yards from the corner of the bar noted in the first column to the 
three triangulation stations named on the corresponding lines in the last column, and 
vice versa. 

Seventh column. — This column, under the heading of "U. S. C. & G. S. triangulation 
station," 6 gives the names of the landmarks from which were computed the corre- 
sponding "Latitude," "Longitude," "True bearing," and "Distance" of the "Corner 
of the bar" designated in the first column. A full description of the location and 
markings of these triangulation stations is given in another part of this publication 
under the heading of "Descriptions of triangulation stations." 

SURVEYING METHODS FOR RELOCATION OF BOUNDARIES. 

There are a number of methods that can be used in the relocation of the actual 
boundaries of the natural oyster bars as technically described in this publication and 
delineated on the published charts of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the leasing 
charts of the Shell Fish Commission. 

The following brief descriptions of five of these more or less different methods 
assume a certain amount of experience and knowledge on the part of the engineer in 
the particular kind of surveying under consideration, and are only intended as reminders 
of ways and means that can be used. 

There are two problems that are likely to present themselves to those interested in 
the boundaries of natural oyster bars: one, to determine whether the buoys marking 
the corners have been dragged or otherwise moved from their correct positions, and the 
other, to relocate or reestablish a buoy at the point from which it was removed. The 
different ways of solving these two problems partly depend upon the instruments 
possessed by the engineer and his assistants and partly on his training and experience. 

(1) Triangidation. — This method is the one that will give the greatest accuracy, 
but on account of its requiring special data and instruments, and being an operation 

°The mean magnetic variation for Charles County was 5 20' west of north in 1910 and increasing 
at the rate of 4' yearly. 

6 Geographic positions of these triangulation stations can be obtained by application to the Super- 
intendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D. C. 



44 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

rarely used by engineers not engaged in geodetic surveying, it is recommended only for 
cases in dispute that can not be settled satisfactorily by some other method. An 
explanation of this class of work would be too long for a report of this sort, and those 
not familiar with this method are referred to the publications on the subject by the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

(2) Hydrographic. — This method is the most simple and satisfactory one that can 
be adopted if the surveyor can obtain the use of the necessary instruments and assistants. 
It is the one best suited for the work of the engineers of the Commission in relocating 
corners of boundaries, as it gives results of the accuracy ordinarily required and is rapid 
in execution. Besides, it has the advantage of being available whenever three triangu- 
lation stations of suitable relative positions are visible from the offshore points needing 
relocation. 

Most navigators and others familiar with the use of a sextant are well acquainted 
with the graphic three-point method of fixing a position on water, and only a brief 
description of the operation will be stated. 

In the case where there is only one engineer having a single sextant, the three-point 
method can be used if the two angles determining the position of a buoy are first derived 
from the "Forward" bearings given in the tabular forms describing the boundaries 
of the oyster bars. For example, take "Stoddard" oyster bar, which is the first one 
described in this publication, and assume that "Corner No. 3," is to be examined as 
to its position. The angle between the two landmarks "Key" and "Upper" as deter- 
mined from right to left from the forward bearings from this corner is 122° 28' and 
the angle between "Upper" and "Stoddard" is 88° 43'. Having these two angles, the 
engineer proceeds to the buoy of doubtful location and measures the actual sextant 
angles between the landmarks for which the calculations were made. If the meas- 
ured and calculated angles do not agree the buoy is not in its correct position and the 
boundary corner must be relocated. This is accomplished by moving the boat about 
until a point is reached where the angles do agree, and this point being the desired 
location, the buoy can be placed in its correct position. 

If the engineer can obtain the use of both a sextant and a three-arm protractor 
("position finder"), the availability of the hydrographic method is increased, as the use 
of the protractor is essential in case of the washing away or destruction of one or more 
of the landmarks originally used in describing the boundaries. Under these circum- 
stances, any three landmarks of suitable relative position that are visible from the 
point to be located can be utilized. For example, the engineer can proceed to the buoy 
of doubtful position and measure the two adjacent sextant angles between the three 
landmarks selected. These two angles are set off on the three-arm protractor and the 
actual position of the buoy plotted on the chart by shifting the protractor about until 
the edge of each of the three arms passes through the center of the symbols on the 
chart marking the position of the three landmarks selected. The center of the hub of 
the protractor will indicate on the chart the actual position of the buoy, and if the 
point thus obtained does not coincide with the true position of the corner of the 
boundary as given on the chart, the surveyor can proceed to locate the buoy correctly 
by reversing the operation. This is done by placing the center point of the hub of the 
protractor over the corner of the boundary in question and measuring on the chart 
the two adjacent protractor angles between the three selected landmarks. One of the 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 45 

angles thus obtained is set on the sextant and the boat moved about until the two 
landmarks are shown by the sextant to subtend the same angle obtained from the 
protractor. The second angle is then placed on the sextant and the same operation 
gone through, and so on, first using one angle on the sextant then the other until a 
point is reached where both observed sextant angles are practically identical with 
the protractor angles. The point thus located is the desired one and the buoy can 
be placed to mark the true position of the corner of the boundary in question. 

If the engineer possesses two sextants and a protractor, this problem is far easier 
of solution, as the two angles can be set off on separate sextants and the observer can 
quickly find the desired point where they agree with the protractor angles by using one 
sextant after the other without the need of resetting either. 

If there are two observers, two sextants, and a protractor, it can be seen that the 
best conditions for both rapid and accurate hydrographic location of a point is attained. 
In fact, this is the method by which the buoys at the corners of the boundaries were 
originally placed by the hydrographic engineer to the Commission. 

(3) Magnetic bearings from offshore. — This method of fixing a position on water is 
a simple and well-known one in navigation. It is available to anyone having a boat 
compass and will be of special use to the State fishery force in investigating cases where 
buoys are supposed to have been moved for illegal purposes. 

In the case where a buoy is supposed to have been moved from its true position 
the observer can take compass bearings to the three landmarks given in the last column of 
the tables opposite the boundary corner in question. These bearings are then corrected 
for the local declination, and if the results agree with the published bearings the buoy 
is correctly located. 

In the case where the buoy is not in its correct position, or has disappeared altogether, 
the desired point can be determined by maneuvering the vessel until the corrected bearings 
agree with the ones in the tabular descriptions, when the buoy can be anchored in its 
proper location. 

In the case where the landmarks, for which the bearings are published, have been 
destroyed or washed away, any landmarks whose positions are indicated on the charts 
can be used. This can be done by getting their bearings directly from the chart by 
parallel rulers or a protractor and then applying these new bearings in the same manner 
as the ones published in the tables. 

(4) Magnetic bearings from shore. — This method will be of special value to engineers 
having an ordinary surveyor's compass. The compass can be set over the point mark- 
ing a " triangulation station" on shore, the name of which is given in the last column 
opposite the "corner" in question. The instrument is then set at the corresponding 
"back" bearing (corrected for local magnetic declination) given in the fifth column 
of the tables opposite the "corner" in question. The direction thus determined will 
give one range on which the desired point must be located. The compass can then be 
moved to a second triangulation station and another range located in a similar manner. 
The intersection of these two range lines will give the desired point; but in general it 
should be checked by an additional range line determined from a third station. 



The mean magnetic variation for Charles County is 5° 20' west of north in 1910 and increasing at 
the rate of 4' yearly. 



4 6 



Survey oj Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 



(5) Horizontal angles -measured at landmarks. — This process is a modification of the 
triangulation method, and will be useful to engineers who have a transit and desire 
considerable accuracy. 

The instrument is placed over a "triangulation station," the name of which appears 
in the last column of the tabular description opposite the "corner" in question. The 
telescope is then pointed to the landmark indicated in the "Descriptions of landmarks" 
as having a direction of o° 00' 00" from the triangulation station being occupied by the 
transit. The tabular description of the boundaries is next examined and the "back" 
bearing of the questionable boundary "corner" from the landmark being occupied is 
taken out. The angle calculated from this "back" bearing and the bearing given in 
parentheses alongside the zero landmark in the "Descriptions of landmarks" is then 
set off on the transit and a range line established on which the desired point must be 
located. A similar process is then carried on at a second station, and so on until the 
position of the buoy is satisfactorily fixed. 

BOUNDARIES OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS. 
STODDARD. 

(Upper Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 



Cor- 
ner 


Latitude. 


Longitude. 


True bearing. 


Distance. 


U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- 


of 
bar. 


Forward. 


Back. 


liuu station. 




/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


.38 21 30.76 


76 50 51. 20 


N 55 14 E 

N 87 09 W 
S 52 52 w 


S 55 15 W 
S 87 10 E 
N 52 52 E 


1,199 

856 

1.354 


Key. 

Stoddard. 
Hay den. 


2 


, 38 21 31. 00 


76 5 1 r 4-34 


N 37 05 W 
N 81 54 W 
S 29 24 w 


S 37 05 E 
S 81 54 E 
N 29 23 E 


1, 102 
?44 
947 


Upper. 
Stoddard. 
Hay den. 


3 


38 21 38.90 


76 51 14.82 


N 75 46 E 
N 46 42 W 
S 44 35 W 


S 75 46 W 
S 46 42 E 
N 44 35 E 


1,663 
896 
326 


Key. 

Upper. 

Stoddard. 


4 


38 21 38.74 


76 50 51. 60 


N 67 24 E 
N 64 01 W 
S 74 59 W 


S 67 24 W 
S 64 01 E 

N 74 59 E 


1,078 

1,411 

87S 


Key. 

Upper. 
Stoddard. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

WICOMICO LUMPS. 
{Upper Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 



47 



Cor- 




True bearing. 






ner 


Latitude. Longitude. 




Distance. 


U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- 


of 






tion station. 


bar. 






Forward. 


Back. 








/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 20 17. 64 76 51 40. 36 


S 85 05 E 


N 85 05 W 


1.834 


Fact. 








N 15 14 W 


S 15 14 E 


775 


Burr. 








S 54 28 w 


N 54 27 E 


973 


Bowman. 


2 


3 8 2 ° 33- 54 


76 51 45. 42 


N 17 57 E 


S 17 57 W 


1, 168 


Hayden. 








N 18 07 W 


S 18 07 E 


223 


Burr. 








S 30 50 W N 30 50 E 


1,284 


Bowman . 


3 


58 21 10. 18 


76 50 51. 08 


S 84 22 E 


N 84 22 W 


897 


Cohouck. 






N 49 23 W 


S 49 24 E 


1. 13 1 


Stoddard . 






S 83 30 W 


N 83 29 E 


1,090 


Hayden. 




Thence along county boundary as delineated on Chart N 


a. 26 to corner No. 4. 


4 


38 20 51. 98 


76 so 58. 86 


N 64 26 E 


S 64 26 W 


1, 218 


Cohouck. 








N 60 46 W 


S 60 46 E 


1, 004 


Hayden . 








S 72 34 w 


N 72 34 E 


1,368 


Burr. 




Thence along county boundary as delineated on Chart Nc 


. 26 to corner No. 5. 


5 


38 20 20. 70 


76 51 13.00 i N 55 17 W S 55 17 E 


I , 132 


Burr. 






S 66 14 W N 66 13 E 


1, 660 


Bowman. 






S 76 42 E N 76 42 W 


i,i3 2 


Fact. 



MILLS WEST. 
(Upper Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 





/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 19 50. 98 


76 5 1 45- 74 


N 2 07 W 


S 2 07 E 


1,648 


Burr. 








N 62 50 W 


S 62 50 E 


729 


Bowman. 








S 26 44 E 


N 26 43 W 


1,156 


Eedling. 


2 


38 20 17. 64 


76 51 40. 36 


S 85 05 E 


N 85 04 W 


1,834 


Fact. 








N 15 14 W 


S 15 14 E 


775 


Burr. 








S 54 28 W 


N 54 27 E 


973 


Bowman. 


3 


38 20 20. 70 


76 51 13.00 


N 55 17 W 


S 55 17 E 


1,132 


Burr. 








S 66 14 W 


N 66 13 E 


, 1,660 


Bowman. 








S 76 42 E 


N 76 42 W 


1, 132 


Fact. 




Thence alo 


ng county boundary as delineat 


ed on Chart No 


. 26 to comer No. 4. 


4 


38 20 00. 00 


76 51 11.88 


N 88 54 W 


S 88 55 E 


i,548 


Bowman. 








S 15 50 W 


N 15 50 E 


*,$<) 2 


Eedling. 








N 67 44 E 


S 67 44 W 


i,i57 


Fact. 



4« 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

JOES LUMPS. 
(Middle Wicomico River — Chart So. 26.) 



Cor- 


Latitude. 


Longitude. 


True bcariu 1: . 


Distance. 


U. S. C. & G. S. triunsutn- 


of 
bar. 


Forward. 


Back. 


lion stuiiim. 




/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 19 04. 42 


76 50 28. 14 


N 78 10 E 
N 2 14 W 
S 77 22 W 


S 78 11 w 
S 2 14 E 

N 77 22 E 


961 

2,3'3 
1,049 


Farr. 
Fact. 
Gust. 


2 


38 19 04. 52 


76 51 04. 74 


S 12 18 W 

N 84 14 E 
N 46 57 W 


N 12 18 E 
S 84 15 w 
S 46 57 E 


233 

1.923 

779 


Gust. 
Farr. 
Eedling. 


3 


38 19 11. 00 


76 51 12. 82 


S 19 58 E 
S 89 18 E 
N 48 33 W 


N 19 58 \V 
N 89 '17 W 
S 48 33 E 


480 
2, 128 

474 


Gust. 

Farr. 
Eedling. 


4 


38 19 22. 46 


76 51 17. 14 


N 47 25 W 
S 73 02 W 
S 18 27 E 


S 47 26 E 
N 73 02 E 
N 18 27 W 


1. 913 

250 

879 


Bowman. 

Eedling. 

Gust. 


5 


38 19 50. 98 


7° S 1 45- 74 


N 2 07 W 
N 62 50 W 
S 26 44 E 


S 2 07 E 
S 62 50 E 
N 26 43 W 


1,648 

729 

'. I5 6 


Burr. 

Bowman. 

Eedling. 


6 


38 20 00. 00 
Thence alo 


76 51 n. 88 
ng county bout 


N 88 54 W 
S 15 50 W 
N 67 44 E 
dary as delineat 


S 88 55 E 

N 15 50 E 
S 67 44 w 
ed on Chart No 


1,548 Bowman. 
1,392 Eedling. 
1, 157 Fact. 
. 26 to corner No. 1. 

1 



WINDMILL. 

(Middle Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 





/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 18 13.28 


76 50 55. 00 


S 20 55 E 


N 20 55 W 


5°2 


Hedney. 








S 87 33 E 


N 87 32 W 


2,227 


Lyon. 








N 11 43 W 


S 11 43 E 


'> 523 


Gust. 


2 


38 18 35. 66 


76 50 54. 30 


S 7 28 E 


N 7 28 W 


I > 2 37 


Hedney. 








S 68 56 E 


N 68 5? W 


2,359 


Lyon. 








N 23 54 W 


S 23 54 E 


809 


Gust. 


3 


38 18. 45- 28 


76 51 04. 61 


S 15 43 E 


N 15 43 W 


1,604 


Hedney. 








S 64 37 E 


N 64 36 W 


2,745 


Lyon. 








N 7 25 W 


S 7 25 E 


421 


Gust. 


4 


38 18 53. 20 


76 5° 57-3° 


S 7 32 E 


N 7 32 W 


1,834 


Hedney. 








N 71 28 E 


S 71 29 W 


1, 809 


Farr. 








N 59 02 W 


S 59 02 E 


289 


Gust. 


5 


38 19 04. 52 


76 51 04. 74 


S 12 18 W 


N 12 18 E 


233 


Gust. 








N 84 14 E 


S 841, W 


'.923 


Farr. 








N 46 57 W 


S 46 57 E 


779 


Eedling. 


6 


38 19 04. 42 


76 50 28. 14 


N 78 10 E 


S 78 11 W 


961 


Farr. 








N 2 14 W 


S 2 14 E 


2,3'3 


Fact. 








S 77 22 W 


N 77 22 E 


1,049 


Gust. 




Thence a 


ong the county boundary as de! 


ineatcd on Cha 


rt No. 26 t 


comer No. 7. 


7 


38 18 24. 45 


76 50 16. 82 


S 44 40 w 


N 44 39 E 


1, 189 


Hedney. 








S 68 42 E 


N 68 42 W 


1,299 


Lyon. 








N 22 31 E 


S 22 31 W 


1,672 


Farr. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

FENWICK. 
(Middle Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 



49 



Cor- 






True bearing. 








Latitude. 


Longitude. 




Distance. 


U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- 


of 






tion station. 


bar. 






Forward. 


Back. 








/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 17 55-86 


76 50 36. 14 


N 69 46 W 


S 69 46 E 


343 


Hedney. 








S 14 00 E 


N 14 00 W 


1,227 


Charles. 








N 74 04 E 


S 74 04 W 


1,792 


Lyon. 


2 


38 18 13. 28 


76 50 55. 00 


S 20 55 E 


N 20 55 W 


502 


Hedney. 








S 87 33 E 


N 87 32 W 


2, 227 


Lyon. 








N 11 43 W 


S 11 43 E 


!. 523 


Gust. 


3 


38 18 24. 45 


76 50 16. 82 


S 44 40 W 


N 44 39 E 


I,l89 


Hedney. 








S 68 42 E 


N 68 42 W 


1,299 


Lyon. 








N 22 31 E 


S 22 31 W 


1,672 


Farr. 




Thence alo 


ng the county t 


>oundary as delineated on Chart 


No. 26 to 


corner No. 4. 


4 


38 17 55- 98 


76 50 08. 16 


N 63 31 E 


S 63 32 w 


x > °95 


Lyon. 








N 83 52 W 


S 83 52 E 


1,072 


Hedney. 








S 20 30 W 


N 20 30 E 


1.275 


Charles. 



WICOMICO MIDDLE GROUND. 
(Middle Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 





/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 17 26.40 


76 49 42. 82 


S 68 36 E 
N 11 40 E 
S 80 01 W 


N 68 35 W 
S 11 40 W 
N 80 00 E 


1.357 
1.520 

1. 137 


Weiss. 
Lyon. 
Charles. 


2 


38 17 3I-/8 


76 50 25.60 


S 2 32 E 

N 47 54 E 
N 32 54 W 


N 2 32 W 
S 47 55 W 
S 32 54 E 


379 
J.945 
1, 108 


Charles. 

Lyon. 

Hedney. 


3 


38 17 55- 86 


76 5° 3 6 - 14 


N 69 46 W 
S 14 00 E 


S 69 46 E 

N 14 00 VV 


343 

1,227 


Hedney. 
Charles. 








N 74 04 E 


S 74 04 W 


1,792 


Lyon. 


4 


38 17 55- 9 8 
Then 


76 50 08. 16 
ce along count} 


N 63 31 E 

N 83 52 W 
S 20 30 w 
boundary as de 


S 63 32 w 
S 83 52 E 
N 20 30 E 
ineated on Cha 


i.°95 

1,072 

I > 2 75 

rt No. 26 t 


Lyon. 
Hedney. 
Charles. 
corner No. 1. 



77572—11- 



50 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Mil. 

CHARLESTON CREEK. 

{Middle Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 









True bearing. 








Latitude. 


Longitude. 






Distance. 


U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- 


o( 






tiim station. 


bar. 






Forward. 


Bade. 








/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




r 


38 16 45.98 


76 so 04. 48 


S 3 5» E 


N 3 si W 


697 


Hard. 








N 64 45 E 


S 64 45 w 


2. °33 


Weiss. 








N 25 02 W 


S 25 03 B 


1,286 


Charles. 





38 17 10. 08 


76 50 04. 50 


S 1 48 E 


N 148W 


1,508 


Hard. 








N 88 17 E 


S 88 18 W 


1,841 


Weiss. 








N 57 01 W 


S 57 01 E 


649 


Charks 


3 


38 17 26. 40 


76 49 42. 82 


S 68 36 E 


N 68 35 W 


1.357 


Weiss. 








N 11 40 E 


S 11 40 w 


i>5 2 ° 


Lyon. 








S 80 01 W 


N 80 00 E 


1. 137 


Charles. 




Then 


cc along count} 


boundary as delineated on Chart No. 26 to corner No. 4. 


4 


38 16 55. 66 


76 49 32. 82 


N 61 31 E 


S 61 32 W 


'. 133 


Weiss. 








N 58 48 W 


S 58 49 E 


1, 621 


Charles. 








S 37 53 W 


N 37 53 E 


1,294 


Hard. 



LANCASTER. 



(Lower Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 





/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 16 26. 20 


76 49 48. 82 


S 73 19 E 


N 73 18 W 


2, 140 


Prec. 








N 42 50 E 


S 42 51 w 


2.093 


Weiss. 








S S 5 37 W 


N 85 37 E 


37! 


Hard. 


2 


38 16 30. 22 


76 50 04. 42 


S 15 25 E 


N is 2S w 


170 


Hard. 








N 52 43 E 


S 52 44 \\ 


2,310 


Weiss. 








N 17 50 W 


S .7 S' E 


',783 


Charles. 


3 


38 16 45. 98 


76 so 04. 48 


S 3 5i E 


N 3 si W 


697 


Hard. 








N 64 45 E 


S 64 45 W 


2,033 


Weiss. 








N 25 02 W 


S 25 03 E 


1,286 


Charles. 


4 


38 16 55. 66 


76 49 32. 82 


N 61 31 E 


S 61 32 w 


i.'33 


Weiss. 








N 58 48 W 


S 58 49 E 


1, 621 


Charles. 








S 37 53 W 


N 37 53 E 


1,294 


Hard. 




Thence 


along the coun 


tv boundary as ( 


lelineated in CI 


iart No. 26 to corner No. 5. 


5 


38 16 34. 94 


76 49 13.42 


S 50 45 E 


N so 4 S W 


1,442 


Prec. 








N 67 32 E 


S 67 32 w 


J. 79 1 


Blakislone. 








N 21 15 E 


S 21 15 W 


i-33o 


Weiss. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

ROCK POINT. 

{Lower Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 



51 



Cor- 






True bearing. 






ner 


Latitude. 


Longitude. 






Distance. 


U. S. C. & G. S. triangula 


of 
bar- 


Forward. 


Back. 


tion station. 




/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 15 53- 62 


76 49 54. 98 


N 77 43 E 
N 10 53 W 
S 47 24 w 


S 77 43 W 
S 10 53 E 
N 47 24 E 


2,271 

I, 090 

944 


Prec. 
Hard. 
Corner. 


2 


38 15 53- 7° 


76 50 09. 30 


S 26 08 w 
N 79 31 E 
N 9 18 E 


N 26 08 E 
S 79 32 W 
S 9 18 W 


717 
2,644 
1,082 


Corner. 

Prec. 

Hard. 


3 


38 15 56.62 


76 50 23. 06 


S 3 53 E 
N 82 39 E 
N 29 10 E 


N 3 53 W 
S 82 40 W 
S 29 10 W 


744 
2,991 
1, no 


Corner. 

Prec. 

Hard. 


4 


38 15 56- 19 


76 50 26. 80 


S 11 40 E 
N 82 38 E 
N 33 03 E 


N 11 40 W 
S 82 39 W 
S 33 04 w 


743 
3.091 
1. 173 


Corner. 

Prec. 

Hard. 


5 


38 15 58-92 


76 50 26. 82 


S 10 24 E 
N 84 20 E 
N 35 42 E 


N 10 24 W 
S 84 22 w 
S 35 42 W 


834 

3,081 
1,098 


Corner. 

Prec. 

Hard. 


6 


38 16 00. 00 


76 50 18. 76 


S 4 17 W 
N 84 39 E 
N 26 30 E 


N 4 17 E 
S 84 40 w 
S 26 30 w 


857 
2,864 

956 


Corner. 

Prec. 

Hard. 


7 


38 16 20. 60 


76 50 OI. 98 


S 18 13 W 
S 79 54 E 
N 6 59 W 


N 18 13 E 
N 79 53 W 
S 6 59 E 


1.632 

2,443 
162 


Corner. 

Prec. 

Hard. 


8 


38 16 26. 20 


76 49 48. 82 


S 73 19 E 

N 42 50 E 
S 85 37 W 


N 73 18 W 
S 42 51 W 
N 85 37 E 


2, 146 

2,093 

37i 


Prec. 

Weiss. 

Hard. 


9 


38 16 34. 94 


76 49 13. 42 


S 50 45 E 
N 67 32 E 
N 21 15 E 


N 50 45 W 
S 67 32 w 
S 21 15 W 


1,442 
i,79i 
1,33° 


Prec. 

Blakistone. 

Weiss. 


10 


38 16 01. 56 


. 76 49 33- 97 


N 82 38 E 
N 43 36 W 
S 54 07 W 


S 82 39 W 
S 43 36 E 
N 54 07 E 


1,675 
1, 108 

i,55o 


Prec. 
Hard. 
Corner. 



52 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

SHIPPING POINT. 
(Loner Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 



Cor- 








True bearing. 








Latitude. 


Longitude. 






Distance. 


msula- 


of 
bar. 


Forward. 


Back. 


111..11 







/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 


15 26.96 


76 49 47. 60 


N 73 48 W 
S 8 55 E 
S 65 57 E 


• s 73 49 E 
N 8 55 W 
N 65 57 W 


93° 
1,830 
1,858 


Corner. 

Cobb Point Bar Light. 

St. Margaret 2. 


2 


38 


15 28. 40 


76 50 12. 00 


S 26 40 E 

S 71 03 E 
N 49 iS W 


N 26 40 W 
N 71 02 W 
S 49 15 E 


2,078 

2, 480 

322 


Cobb Point Bar Light. 
St. Margaret 2. 
Corner. 


3 


38 


15 42. 76 


76 49 57- 94 


N 5 03 W 
S 66 04 W 
S 13 25 E 


S 5 03 E 
N 66 04 E 
N 13 25 W 


1. 44i 

676 

2,406 


Hard. 

Corner. 

Cobb Point Bar Light. 


4 


38 


IS 53- 7° 


76 50 09. 30 


S 26 08 W 
N 79 31 E 
N 9 18 E 


N 26 08 E 
S 79 32 W 
S 9 18 W 


717 
2,644 
I, 082 


Corner. 

Prec. 

Hard. 


5 


38 


15 53-62 


7 6 49 54- 98 


N 77 43 E 
N 10 53 W 
S 47 24 W 


S 77 43 W 
S 10 53 E 
N 47 24 E 


2, 271 

1, 090 

944 


Prec. 

Hard. 

Corner. 


6 


38 


15 45- 4° 


76 49 40. 46 


N 67 30 E 
N 23 43 W 
S 71 27 w 


S 67 31 W 

S 23 43 E 
N 71 27 E 


1.985 
i,47i 
t, 14a 


Prec. 
Hard. 
Corner. 



COBB POINT. 
(Lower Wicomico River — Chart No. 26.) 



38 14 32. 61 ■ 76 49 24. 30 N 45 04 E 

N 35 52 W 
N 85 52 W 



S 45 05 W 
S 35 53 E 
S 85 52 E 



Yards. 

1. 522 

2.580 

337 



St. Margaret 2. 

Corner. 

Cobb Point Bar Light. 



2 


38 14 33- 33 


76 49 36. 93 


S 81 09 E 
N 53 22 E 
N 29 39 W 


N 81 08 W 
S 53 *3 W 
S 29 39 E 


3.285 
1. 762 
2.379 


St. Catherine. 
St. Margaret 2. 
Corner. 


3 


38 14 38. 79 


7° 49 53- °5 


S 66 46 E 
N 64 48 E 
N 21 39 W 


N 66 45 W 
S 64 49 W 
S 21 40 E 


4')7 
2.035 
2, 030 


Cobb Point Bar Light 

St. Margaret 2. 
Corner. 


4 


38 15 00. 00 


76 50 16. 60 


S 49 33 E 
N 86 28 E 
N 5 53 W 


N 49 33 W 
S 86 29 W 
s 5 53 E 


1,386 
2,473 

1. '73 


Cobb Point Bar Light. 

Si Margaret 2. 
Corner. 


5 


38 15 00. 00 


76 49 47. 48 


S 17 22 E 
N 84 53 E 
N 37 30 W 


N 17 22 W 
S 84 54 W 
S 37 3° E 


940 
1,701 

1,471 


O.K1. Point Bar Light. 
St. Margaret a. 
Corner. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

TEAGUE. 
{Upper Paluxent River — Chart No. 26.) 



53 



Cor- 






True bearing. 








Latitude. 


Longitude. 






Distance. 


U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- 


of 
bar. 


Forward. 


Back. 


tion station. 




/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 31 26.32 


76 40 15. 01 


N 74 28 E 
N 40 12 W 
S 13 24 W 


S 74 29 W 
S 40 12 E 
N 13 24 E 


h 75° 

408 

I, 222 


Buena. 
Teague. 
City. 


2 


38 31 47-57 


76 40 25. 32 


S 1 23 E 
S 82 47 E 
N 23 49 E 


N 1 23 W 
N 82 46 W 
S 23 49 W 


405 
!.974 
1, 208 


Teague. 

Buena. 

Leiteh. 


3 


38 31 41.00 


76 40 05. 60 


S 88 56 E 
N 1 28 W 


N 88 56 W 

S 1 28 E 


i,436 
1.328 


Buena. 
Leitch. 








S 70 21 w 


N 70 21 E 


545 


Teague. 


4 


38 31 31.00 


76 40 OO. 50 


N 76 34 E 

N 5 48 W 
N 76 37 W 


S 76 35 W 
S 5 48 E 
S 76 38 E 


!.337 

1.673 

666 


Buena. 
Leitch. 
Teague. 



ELBOW. 
(Upper Patuxent River — Chart No. 26.) 





/ 


// 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards. 




I 


38 31 


11. 40 


76 40 07. 18 


N 30 01 W 
S 35 3° W 
S 12 36 E 


S 30 02 E 
N 35 3° E 
N 12 36 W 


942 

844 

i,346 


Teague. 

City. 

Hallowing. 


2 


38 31 


21.38 


76 40 07. 64 


N 66 5=; E 
N 43 48 \Y 
S 25 02 \V 


S 66 56 W 
S 43 48 E 
N 25 02 E 


1, 620 

663 

1. 131 


Buena. 

Teague. 

City. 


3 


38 31 


23.96 


76 39 59-32 


N 66 36 E 
N 60 02 W 
S 32 10 W 


S 66 37 W 
S 60 03 E 
N 32 10 E 


1,383 
784 

I.3" 


Buena. 
Teague . 
City. 


4 


38 31 


I5-42 


76 39 5 8 - 63 


N 56 15 E 
N 45 45 W 
S 41 07 \V 


S 56 16 W 
S 45 45 E 
N 41 07 E 


1, 5°5 

973 

1, 090 


Buena. 
Teague. 
City. 



54 



Survey oj Oyster Bars, t harlet ( ounty, Md. 

CARPENTERS YARD. 
{Upper Paiuxent River — ( 'hart A'o. 26.) 



Cor- 
ner 
of 
bar. 


Latitude. 


Longitude. 


True bearing. 
Forward. Back. 


Distance 


D. S. C & <'.. S. triangula 
ii. .11 itation. 




/ // 


/ // 


/ 


/ 


Yards, 




1 


38 30 14. 21 


76 40 28. 32 


S 59 32 E 

N 54 22 E 
N 54 57 W 


N 59 32 W 
S 54 23 W 
S 54 57 E 


I, 260 

1,051 

494 


Dwarf. 
Hallowing. 

Indian. 


2 


38 30 14. 50 


76 40 37. 12 


S 63 45 E 
N 61 02 E 
N 32 1,; W 


N 63 44 W 
S 61 03 W 
S 32 13 E 


1,47' 

1, 240 

322 


Dwarf. . 
Hallov 

Indian. 


3 


38 30 24. 62 


76 40 38. 64 


N 76 57 E 
N 21 oi E 
S 62 54 W 


S 76 58 W 
S 21 05 W 

N 62 54 E 


,, 158 
954 
148 


Hallowing. 

City. 

Indian 


4 


38 3° 39- 94 


76. 40 25. 60 


S 71 56 E 
N 24 W 
S 39 18 w 


N 71 56 W 
S 24 E 
N 39 18 E 


822 
373 

752 


Hallowing. 

City. 
Indian, 


5 


38 30 29. 62 


76 40 20. 02 


N 81 39 E 
N n 47 W 
S 69 19 w 


S 81 40 \v 
S 11 48 E 
N 69 w, E 


''4 1 

; ' 

""7 


Hallowing. 
City. 

Indian. 


6 


38 30 24. 08 


76 40 27. 79 


N 71 36 E 
N 3 29 E 
S 83 20 W 


S 71 37 W 
S 3 2., W 
N 83 20 E 


886 

()IO 

421 


Hallowing. 

City. 

Indian. 



APPENDIXES 



Appendix A.— LAWS RELATING TO THE COOPERATION OF THE COAST AND GEODETIC 
SURVEY AND BUREAU OF FISHERIES WITH THE MARYLAND SHELL FISH COM- 
MISSION. 

The work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and of the Bureau of Fisheries, in cooperation with 
the Maryland Shell Fish Commission, in surveying the oyster bars, establishing permanent landmarks 
at triangulation stations, and preparing for publication the necessary charts and technical and legal 
descriptions of boundaries and landmarks shown on these charts, has been executed in compliance with 
a request from the governor of the State of Maryland to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and by 
the authority of the following laws of the United States and Maryland : 

[Act of Congress approved May 26, 1906.] 

AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to cooperate, through the Bureau of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
and the Bureau of Fisheries, with the shellfish commissioners of the State of Maryland in making surveys of the natural 
oyster beds, bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress 
assembled. That the Secretary of Commerce and Labor be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed, 
upon the request of the governor of the State of Maryland, to designate such officers, experts, and 
employees of the Bureau of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and of the Bureau of Fisheries as may be 
necessary to cooperate with the Maryland State board of shellfish commissioners in making a survey 
of and locating the natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland; 
and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor is hereby authorized and directed to furnish to the officers, 
experts, and employees of said Bureaus so detailed as aforesaid such instruments, appliances, and 
steam launches as may be necessary to make the survey aforesaid ; and the Secretary of Commerce 
and Labor is hereby authorized to have made in the Bureau of the Coast and Geodetic Survey all the 
plats necessary to show the results of the aforesaid survey and the locations of the said natural oyster 
beds, bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland, and to furnish to the board of shell- 
fish commissioners of the State of Maryland such copies as may be necessary, and for this purpose 
to employ, in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, such technically qualified persons as may be 
necessary to carry out the purpose of this act. 

Sec. 2. That the Secretary of Commerce and Labor is hereby further authorized to have erected 
or constructed by the officers so detailed as aforesaid, while making such survey, such structures as 
may be necessary to mark the points of triangulation, so that the same may be used for such future 
work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as the said Bureau may be hereafter required to perform in 
prosecuting the Government coast survey of the navigable waters of the United States located within 
the State of Maryland. 

******* 

Sec 4. That this act shall take effect from the date of its passage. 



[Act of Congress approved June 30, 1906.) 

AN ACT Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen 

hundred and seven, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress 
assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- 
after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seven, namely: 

55 



56 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

Coast and Geodetic Survey: * * * For any special surveys * including the 

expenditures authorized under Public Act Numbered One hundred and eighty -one, approved May 
twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred and six, and contingent expenses incident thereto, five thousand dollars, 
together with the unexpended balance under this appropriation for nineteen hundred and six and 
prior years which is hereby reappropriated and made available on this account for the fiscal year 
nineteen hundred and seven. * * * 



[Act of Congress approved March 4, 1907.] 

AN ACT Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen 

hundred and eight, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congnst 
assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- 
after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eight, namely: ' 

Coast and Geodetic Survey: * * For any special surveys ' including expenses 

of surveys in aid of the shellfish commission of the State of Maryland, to be immediately available 
and to continue available until expended, twenty-five thousand dollars. * 



[Act of Congress approved May 27, 1908. 1 

AN ACT Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen 

hundred and nine, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congrt tl 
assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- 
after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nine, namely: 

Coast and Geodetic Survey: * * * For any special surveys * including expenses 

of surveys in aid of the shellfish commission of the State of Maryland, which expenses, including cost 
of plats and charts, shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars in any one year, to be immediately avail- 
able, twenty thousand dollars. 



[Act of Congress approved March 4, 1909.] 

AN ACT Making appropriation for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen 

hundred and ten, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in ( 'ongress 
assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- 
after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ten, namely: ' 

Coast and Geodetic Survey: * * * For any special surveys 4 * * including expenses 
of surveys in aid of the shellfish commission of the State of Maryland, which expenses, including cost 
of plats and charts, shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars in any one year, to be immediately avail- 
able, twenty thousand dollars. 



[Act of Congress approved June 25, 1910.I 

AN ACT Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth* nineteen 

hundred and eleven, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of tlie United States of America in Congress 
assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- 
after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eleven, namely: * 

Coast and Geodetic Survey: * For any special surveys * * including expenses 

of surveys in aid of the shellfish commission of the State of Maryland, to be immediately available 
fifteen thousand dollars. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 57 

[Act of the Legislature of Maryland approved April 2, 1906.] 

AN ACT To establish and promote the industry of oyster culture in Maryland, to define and mark natural oyster beds, bars 
and rocks lying under the waters of this State, to prescribe penalties for the infringement of the provisions of this Act, 
and * * *. 

Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the following sections be, and 
they are hereby, added to article 72 of the Code of Public General Laws, title "Oysters. " * 

Sec. 86. The Board of Shell Fish Commissioners shall, as soon as practicable after the passage of 
this Act, cause to be made a true and accurate survey of the natural oyster beds, bars and rocks of 
this State, said survey to be made with reference to fixed and permanent objects on the shore, giving 
courses and distances, to be fully described and set out in a written report of said survey, as hereinafter 
required. A true and accurate delineation of the same shall be made on copies of published maps and 
charts of the United States coast and geodetic survey, which said copies shall be filed in the office of 
the said commissioners in the city of Annapolis, and the said commissioners shall further cause to be 
delineated upon copies of the published maps and charts of the United States coast and geodetic survey, 
of the largest scale, one copy for each of the counties of this State in the waters of which there are 
natural oyster beds, bars and rocks, all natural beds, bars and rocks lying within the waters of such 
county, which maps shall be filed in the offices of the clerks of the Circuit Court for the respective 
counties wherein the grounds so designated may lie. * * * 

SEC. 87. The Governor of this State is hereby requested to ask the assistance of the United States 
coast and geodetic survey, and of the United States Fish Commissioner, to aid in the carrying out of 
the provisions of the preceding section. 

****** ** 

Sec. 89. As soon as practicable after the first day of April, 1906, the said commissioners shall 
organize, arid shall at once proceed, with the assistance of such person or persons as may be detailed by 
the United States coast and geodetic survey and the United States Fish Commissioner, to aid them 
in their work, and of such persons as may be appointed under the preceding section, to have laid out, 
surveyed and designated on the said charts, the natural beds and bars, and shall cause to be marked 
and defined as accurately as practicable the limits and boundaries of the natural beds, bars, and rocks 
as established by said survey, and they shall take true and accurate notes of said survey in writing, 
and make an accurate report of said survey, setting forth such a description of landmarks as may be 
necessary to enable the said board, or their successors, to find and ascertain the boundary lines of the 
said natural oyster beds, bars and rocks, as shown by a delineation on the maps and charts provided 
in this Act; said report shall be completed and filed in the office of the board in the city of Annapolis 
within ninety days after the completion of the survey of any county. Said commissioners shall cause 
the same to be published in pamphlet form, and transmit copies of the said to the Clerks of the Circuit 
court for the respective counties, where the charts have been filed or directed to be filed as hereinafter 
provided; the said report to be filed by the clerks of the several counties in a book kept for that purpose. 
And the said survey and report, when filed, subject to the right of appeal hereafter provided for in this Act, 
shall be taken in all of the courts of this State as conclusive evidence of the boundaries and limits 
of all natural oyster beds, bars and rocks, lying within the waters of the county wherein such survey and 
report are filed, and shall be construed to mean in all of the said courts that there are no natural 
oyster beds, bars or rocks tying within the w-aters of the counties wherein such report and survey are 
filed other than those embraced in the survey authorized by this Act, and that all areas of the Chesa- 
peake Bay and its tributaries within the State of Maryland, not shown in the survey to be natural 
oyster beds, bars or rocks shall be construed in all the courts of the State to be barren bottoms and 
open for disposal by the State for the purpose of private planting or propagation of oysters thereon 
under the provisions of this Act; provided, that the said survey and report shall not be construed as to 
affect in any manner the holdings by citizens of this State in any lot which may have been appro- 
priated or taken up under the laws of this State prior to the approval of this Act. 



58 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

The law of the State of Maryland, passed March o, 1842, authorizing officers of the I'nited States 
Coast and Geodetic Survey to enter upon the lands within the State limits fur the purposes of the 
survey, is as follows: 

AN ACT ConccniinM the Survey o( the Coast of Maryland. 

Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That ii shall and may be lawful for 
any person or persons employed under and by virtue Of an act of the Congress i>f the United Stales. 
* * * at any time hereafter to enter upon lands within this State for the purpose of exploring, sur 
veying, triangulating, or leveling, or doing any other matter or thing which may Ik- necessary to effect 
the objects of said act, and to erect any works, stations, buildings, or appendages requisite for that 
purpose, doing no unnecessary injury to private or other property. 

Sec. 2." And be it enacted. That in ease the person or persons employed under the act of Oongn ^ 
aforesaid, can not agree with the owners or possessors of the land so entered upon and used as to the 
amount of damage done thereto by reason of the removal of fences, cutting of trees or injury to the 
crop or crops growing on the same, it shall and may be lawful for the said parties or either of them to 
apply to the chief justice for the time being or one of the associate judges of the judicial district in 
which such land may be situated, who shall thereupon appoint three disinterested and judicious frei 
holders, residents of the same judicial district, to proceed with as much despatch as possible to the 
examination of the matter in question, and the faithful assessment of the damages sustained by the 
owners or possessors aforesaid, and the said freeholders or a majority of them, having first taken and 
subscribed an oath or affirmation before the chief or associate justice aforesaid or other person duly 
authorized to administer the same, that they will well and truly examine and assess as aforesaid, and 
having given five days' notice to both parties of the time of their meeting, shall proceed to the s|«>t . and 
then and there upon their own view and if required, upon the evidence of witnesses (to In- by them 
sworn or affirmed and examined), shall assess the said damages, and shall afterward make report thereof 
and of their proceedings in writing under their hands and seals and file the same within five days 
thereafter in the office of the clerk of the county in which the land aforesaid is situated, subject in 
an appeal by either party to the county court of the said county within ten days after tiling as afore 
said, and the said report so made as aforesaid if no appeal as aforesaid be taken, shall be held to be 
final and conclusive as between the said parties, and the amount so assessed and reported shall la- 
paid to the said owners or possessors of the land so damaged within twenty days after the tiling of said 
report, and the said chief or associate justice as aforesaid, shall have authority to tax and allow 
upon the filing of said report, such costs, fees and expenses to the said freeholders lor tin performance 
of their duty as he shall think equitable and just, which allowance shall be paid by the person or persons 
employed under the act of congress aforesaid, within the time last above limited, but if an appeal as 
aforesaid be taken, the case shall be set down for hearing at the first term of county court aforesaid, 
ensuing upon and after appeal, and it shall be lawful for cither party immediately after the entry of 
such appeal, to take out summons for such witnesses as may be necessary to be examined u|>on Un- 
healing aforesaid, and the said court shall have power in its discretion to award costs against which 
ever the final judgment shall be entered, and such appeal at the option of either party may and shall 
be heard before and the damage assessed by a jury of twelve men to be taken from the regular panel 
and elected as in other cases. 

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That if any person or persons shall wilfully injure or deface or remove 
any signal, monument or building or any appendage thereto, erected, used or constructed under and 
by virtue of the act of congress aforesaid, such person or persons so offending shall severally forfeit and 
pay the sum of fifty dollars with costs of suit to be sued for and recovered by any person who shall first 
prosecute the same before any justice of the peace of the county where the person so offending may 
reside, and shall also be liable to pay the amount of damages thereby sustained, to be recovered with 
costs of suit in an action on the case, in the name and for the use of the United States of America, 
in any court of competent jurisdiction. 



Under the rulings of the Comptroller of the Treasury no damages can be collected except through 
the United States Court of Claims unless an agreement has been made in advance. 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 59 

. Appendix B— THE HAMAN OYSTER CULTURE LAW. 

[Extract from Second Report of Shell Fish Commission.] 

OBJECT. 

"The legislature in placing chapter 711 of the acts of 1906, better known as the Haman Oyster 
Culture Law, upon the statute books of Maryland, had a twofold object in view: 

1. To encourage an industry in oyster culture upon the barren bottoms beneath the tidewaters of the 
State. 

2. To prevent the leasing of natural oyster bars for the purpose of oyster culture. " 

SURVEY. 

"To make the leasing of barren bottoms possible and the leasing of natural bars impossible, pro- 
vision was made for a survey of the natural bars for the purpose of accurately locating and marking the 
same. It was definitely provided that no barren bottoms should be leased in any part of the State 
until the natural bars of that region had been surveyed, charted, and marked with buoys. " 

Definition of a Natural Oyster Bar. 

natural bar not defined. 

"The Shell Fish Commission is instructed by section 90 of the Haman Oyster Culture Law to 
exercise its judgment liberally in favor of the natural bars when surveying, charting and buoying them, 
but other than this the Commission is uninstructed in this important matter. The responsibility of 
defining a natural liar is placed upon the Commission." 

DIVERSITY OF OPINION. 

" No definition of a natural oyster bar could be formulated by any man or body of men which would 
meet with the approval of all parties concerned. Oystermen, as a rule, hold that all bottoms where 
oysters grow or have grown naturally even though now practically barren of oysters should be considered 
natural bars. Other citizens of the State who are not directly interested in the oyster business, but 
interested in the oyster industry from the standpoint of revenue, hold, as a rule, that no bottoms should 
be excluded from leasing for oyster culture which, by methods known to oyster culturists, may be 
made to yield a greater number of oysters than they now produce." 

" It should be evident to every one that neither of these definitions could be adopted by the Com- 
mission as a working basis for determining which of the grounds surveyed are natural oyster bars." 

THE GOLDSBOROUGH DEFINITION. 

The definition of a natural oyster bar which very nearly approaches a reasonable and satisfactory 
compromise between the views of the subject held by oystermen on one hand and by oyster culturists 
on the other is that contained in an opinion rendered by Judge Charles F. Goldsborough in the circuit 
court for Dorchester County in the July term, 1881, in the case of William T. Windsor and George R. 
Todd 11. Job T. Moore. 

This definition has been adopted by the Shell Fish Commission as the basis for the determination 
of the status of the various oyster bottoms surveyed and is as follows: 

What then is a natural bar or bed of oysters? It would be a palpable absurdity for the State to 
attempt to promote the propagation and growth of oysters and to encourage its citizens, by a grant of 
land, to' engage in their culture, if the lands authorized to be taken up were only those upon which 
oysters do not and can not be made to grow. That there may be lands covered by water in the State 
where no oysters can be found, but where, if planted, they could be cultivated successfully, may be 
possible, but, if so, I imagine that their extent must be too limited for them to be of much practical, 
general advantage for the purposes of such a law as the one under discussion; but there are thousands 
of acres of hard and shifting sands where oysters not only are not found, but where it would be folly 
to plant them, and these latter it can not be supposed that the State intended to offer to give away, 
for the simple reason that the State could not help knowing that nobody would have them. 



60 Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 

Upon the other hand there are large and numerous tracts where oysters <>f natural growth may 
be found in moderate numbers, but not in quantities sufficient to make it profitable to catch them, 
and yet where oysters may be successfully planted and propagated. In my opinion these can not be 
called natural bars or beds of oysters, within the meaning of the Act of Assembly, and it is just such 
lands as these that the State meant to allow to be taken up under the provisions of the above mentioned 
section of the Act. 

But there is still another class of lands where oysters grow naturally and in large quantities and 
to which the public are now and have been for many years in the habit of resorting with a vi< w to 
earning a livelihood by catching this natural growth, and here. I think, is the true test of the whole 
question. Land can not be said to be a natural oyster bar or bid merely because oysters arc scatter) d 
here and there upon it, and because if planted they will readily- live and thrive there; but whenever 
the natural growth is so thick and abundant that the public resort to it for a livelihood, it is a natural 
oyster bar or bed and comes within the above-quoted restriction in the law. and can not be located or 
appropriated by any individual. 

APPLICATION- OF DEFINITION. 

Before this definition may be of use in determining, accurately and scientifically, the status 
oyster ground, its central idea, "livelihood," must be expanded into accurately determinable factors, 
and these factors must be combined into a practical scheme of investigating the condition of the ground 
under consideration. 

Stated briefly, a livelihood is represented by a sum of money obtained from the sale, at a fixed price, 
of a certain quantity of oysters gathered in a given time from an allotted area of ground. 

Knowing the value of each of these factors it becomes possible to calculate the number of O) sti rs 
an oyster ground must produce per square yard in order that oystermen may secure a livelihood by 
working upon it. 

Note. — The factors into which the Commission resolved the livelihood problem, tin- value assigned 
to each factor, and the scheme devised for practical use in examining and applying the definition to 
oyster bottoms are given in outline in their second report under the heading of the preceding extrai i 
and in detail in their first report on pages 32 to 69. 



Appenmx C— SUMMARY OF THE PARTICULAR SURVEYING OPERATIONS WHICH CON- 
STITUTE AN "OYSTER SURVEY" AS NOW BEING CARRIED ON IN MARYLAND. 

Explanation. — A brief account of the particular surveying operations which constitute an "oyster 
survey" as now being carried on in Maryland will assist in the interpretation of records contained in 
the technical part of this report, and will be of interest to many who may not understand the necessity 
for the great amount of work being done or its complicated character. 

To those familiar with methods used in surveying and charting the characteristic features of large 
bodies of water there is an evident necessity for the various operations performed, especially when it 
is known that the boundaries of the public oyster bars and of the private lots leased for purposes of 
oyster culture must be surveyed and charted with the greatest practical accuracy. To others it will 
be sufficient to state that the actual experience gained from oyster surveys in other States has proven 
that in order to avoid endless dissatisfaction and litigation it is necessary to accurately locate and per- 
manently establish oyster boundaries as is now being done in Maryland. 

Triangulation survey. — Such refinement of survey work as that demanded by the conditions of an 
oyster survey when carried on at considerable distances offshore can only be obtained by tin us< ol 
a system of triangulation as a framework or foundation. Therefore, a triangulation survey including 
the permanent marking of the positions of landmarks with monuments and a record of the descriptions 
of their locations for future recovery is a necessary operation of a complete oyster survey. 

Topographic survey. — The technical records which establish the relation between the offshore 
oyster boundaries and triangulation landmarks are sufficient for the requirements of engineers in making 
resurveys, but do not supply the needs of others who are interested in the same boundaries by reason 
of their occupation as oystermen concerned as to the public oyster bars, or oyster culturists concerned 
as to the leasable bottoms. For these it is necessary to have the charts of the survey show the ri-l.ii ion 
of the shore line and other topographic features to the boundaries of the public oj stcr bars .mil prh •'• 
oyster farms. Therefore, a topographic survey is a necessary operation of a complete oystci :ui 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 61 

Hvdrographic survey. — In the settlement of the important question of what is, or what is not, a 
natural oyster bar, and in the consideration of bottoms to be selected for purposes of oyster culture, 
information as to the depth of water and the character of the bottom is required. Therefore, a hydro- 
graphic survey is a necessary operation of a complete oyster survey. 

Necessary foundation for an oyster survey. — Consequently, the necessary components of a satis- 
factory foundation for a complete oyster survey are the three classes of survey operations technically 
named triangulation, topography, and hydrography, or, stated in another way, the foundation of a 
practical oyster survey includes the surveying operations usually followed by the Coast and Geodetic 
Survey leading up to the preparation and publication of nautical charts. 

Special surveys and investigations pertaining to oysters. — Having obtained this cartographic survey 
for a foundation, partly by new work and partly from records of previous work of the Government, 
the combined operations making up an "oyster survey" are completed by superimposing on this 
foundation special surveys and investigations pertaining particularly to oysters or other shell fish. 

The special surveys pertaining to oysters furnish information as to the location and outline of oyster- 
shell bottoms, and are carried on by the sounding boat party in addition to the usual hvdrographic 
work. 6 This operation consists of the observation and record of the character of vibration of a wire 
and chain apparatus which is dragged over the bottom, the vibrations or lack of vibrations indicating 
the presence and quantity of shells or absence of shells. 

The special oyster investigations c consist of the actual determination of the kind and quantity of 
oysters on the bottom, and such economic and biological studies of the supply of oyster food, density 
of water, character of the bottom, and other important matters as affect the growth of oysters. In this 
work the oyster investigation stations are located and buoyed by the hydrographic party while engaged 
in the survey of the oyster-shell limits. They are selected with the view of obtaining characteristic 
data which can be used for the interpretation of the recorded vibrations of the chain apparatus at all 
other points covered by the survey. 

Preparation of results. — The actual surveying operations and oyster investigations having been 
completed for any one county, there still remains technical work of nearly equal magnitude to that 
described. <Z This work consists of the preparation of charts and technical descriptions of boundaries 
and landmarks for publication by the Government, the preparation of that part of the annual report of 
the Commission covering the special oyster surveys and investigations, the making of the leasing charts 
and finished projections, and finally the filing of the oyster charts and records with the courts and the 
Commission, thus opening a county for oyster culture. 

Summary. — From the foregoing account it can be seen that a complete oyster survey properly 
conducted so as to answer all practical requirements of the present and permanency of results for the 
future is a very complicated affair, involving many lines of surveying and other scientific work, and 
requiring the professional services of experts in the various operations of cartographic surveying and 
shell-fish investigations. 



a See Appendix D of this publication for " Statistics of results of combined operations of the Govern- 
ment and State." 

o See pages 104 to 123 of " First Annual Report of Maryland Shell Fish Commission. " 
c See pages 30 to 67 and 129 to 199 of "First Annual Report of Maryland Shell Fish Commission. " 
d No mention is made here of the large amount of administrative work of the Commission, which is 
greatly complicated and increased by the effect of the oyster-survey operations on many thousands of 
people whose interests are more or less involved; or of the large amount of survey work involved in the 
survey and record of the boundaries of oyster lots leased from the State by private individuals for the 
purposes of oyster culture. 



62 



Survey of Oyster Bars, Charles County, Md. 



H 

W 

z 
2 
w 
> 

o 
o 

w 
X 



CO 

Z 

o 

<! 

w 
o 

>< 
w 
> 

P 

CO 

p>4 

W 
H ■ 
w « 
> c - 

Og 
H 

z_ 

3° 
9z 

u 

w 
JH 

ft, 

o 

CO 

5 

p 

CO 

W 

o 



CO 

o 

CO 

£ 

fH 

CO 



Q 

» 

3 



t2 



to ^ 

•3 o 



St 

<3 a 



<y 



o» 



Kg 

S3 






S2P 

CJ a 

c?3 



■d 

Sc3 



s 
o 

o. 
O 



n »i u-j o O i^n© 

'i IO «• IO00 CJ 



"tX 

i- o 

O c« 



ifl X i - - DO 90 



s 5 



so 



o o 



o o, 

z< 



o o 

On On 



bo CJ 



~ T "5 «"< •* « « 



O I- 

M NO 



O 00 U"l ""• r < ci 



MliOfOfO« N 



r*} cj « N « W 



I-.00 
O O 

On On 






«0 0- CJ 
On t^. 
CN NO 



NO l-» HO 

O O O-nO 

On On NO 



0> O 



e 

a-s 



<". 



co 



wa- 
MS 

V OJ u 
tp.cE cj 

CJ S? CJ 
MtjO- 
3 ,.1 ^ 
■ H "S _, u 

« ?„ ™ c 

CJ ^ CC] ~ 



§ c 

jo cs 

U M 10 

■*-* ii E 

to ^ a 

^?j o 

o > JJ 

•3 a 9 






00 O**". *t « w 



•d-o E 

CJ CJ M 



a-2' 



3 ~T3 
•O M 



<V 



CJ 



- 



ago 



cj co o -a 
cj cj en a c 

iiiig 

to ' — i t ■*-• _c 

•a t- 1 ccj-s; 



EtO r- r- CO 

y C o JS cj o C •- 



CJ jO CJ 



CO g g 

•= a X 

B 3 » 

CO 



to a CJ 
3 to J= co 

a .2 — •— 



C Tx 



s 



»c ^ co ^ 

P2 



3 S 



■c 

_ ■ c •a-a 

-O co a cj CJ 
CJ 3 ^- jS 

i--~ ■=■«; 

cj « cj &."- - -r 

> != b o ~ T3 — 

Q C5 rt k, — " rj ~ 

CC C3_i £_ 

•- .- w 2 3 3 2 

E 2 S oj= at 

cr c cj X cj c 
co Ph ^jOPSCh 



g " b S-: 



H\l\ 



